On Thursday, a Michigan circuit court judge ordered Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge Inc. to temporarily stop the operations of Line 5 operations while also providing information on the recent damage caused to a part of the oil pipeline.
The damaged east leg of the pipeline has been ordered to be kept shut, while the operating west leg has to be shut within 24 hours. Both should remain shut until the outcome of a hearing on Tuesday.
Previously last Thursday, Enbridge closed Line 5 following the damage to the east leg. However, the operations in the west leg resumed after two days.
According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the rule is significant despite being only a short-term arrangement. Nessel has been taking measures through the courts to permanently close the portion of the pipeline passing across the Straits’ lakebed, concerning that any pipeline leak could spoil the Great Lakes.
Reacting to the order, Enbridge argued that the extended closing of the pipeline would harm fuel supplies in Michigan and Ohio, leading to critical gasoline supply shortages and increases in price.
The company will provide the information regarding Line 5 to the court, including the plan for restarting the west leg.
