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Governor requests full shutdown of Line 5 as Enbridge resumes operating western segment

wahoowins

Enbridge Energy announced over the weekend that it has resumed operations through part of the Line 5 pipeline, despite damage sustained by the eastern segment of the line.

In response, Governor Whitmer is requesting the company shut down both segments of the oil pipeline.

On Thursday, the company notified the state that the eastern segment of the pipeline sustained “significant damage.” Enbridge said it promptly shut down both segments, but has since determined the western segment of the line had “no issues or damage.”

On Saturday, Enbridge said it had resumed operations through the western leg of the pipeline and noted “our federal regulator has no objection to this plan.”

In a letterresponding to the company’s decision, Governor Whitmer said she was taken aback they would resume operation along part of the pipeline “without any explanation for the cause of this damage to the pipeline structure and no assurance that Enbridge has taken sufficient steps to mitigate future harm.”

“This disregard for the safety and well-being of our Great Lakes, and Enbridge's due care obligations under the 1953 Easement, is unacceptable” the letter continued.

The Governor requested both segments of the line be shut down until the incident can be investigated.

The office of the Attorney General, which is involved in a lawsuit to shut down the pipeline, said in a statement on Friday that the Line 5 oil pipeline is a clear and present danger to the Great Lakes. 

A spokesperson for the National Wildlife Federation said of the initial damage to the eastern segment of the line: “this should be the end of the line for Line 5.”

The company has not indicated whether it will comply with the Governor’s request.