For immediate release –
November 1st, 2019
Contact: Jim Lively,
Program Director for the Great Lakes Business Network: 231.360.7222
Yesterday, the Court of Claims
announced a decision allowing backroom lame-duck legislation to stand and deals
around Line 5—deals made with the Snyder administration to tie the hands of the
current administration—to proceed. Michigan Attorney General
Dana Nessel and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have both said they will appeal that
decision. Nessel noted that she “always anticipated that this matter would be
resolved in the appellate courts, and we are more resolved than ever to
continue this fight on behalf of the people of Michigan.”
The attorney general
also released a bombshell report,
researched by state agencies, which determined that Enbridge lacks appropriate
liability insurance to pay for a spill cleanup in the Great Lakes, and that
Michigan taxpayers could be on the hook for any significant spill that results
from the nearly 70-year-old oil pipeline. The lack of insurance is yet another
clear and direct violation of Enbridge’s easement with the state and another
example of Enbridge misleading decision makers and the public.
The Great Lakes Business
Network, which has more than 130 members and originally formed in response to
business concerns about the risk of an oil spill at the Straits, stands ready
to support the attorney general and governor in their legal effort to immediately
remove the dangerous oil pipelines from the Great Lakes. Business leaders
expressed disappointment about the Court of Claims ruling but continue to
express their commitment to protect the Great Lakes.
“We are disappointed with the
Court of Claims ruling deeming the Line 5 tunnel legislation as constitutional.
After repeated violations of the easement by Enbridge, and the hasty manner in
which the Snyder administration pushed this through at the end of their term,
this decision is clearly not in the best interest of the citizens and
businesses of Michigan,” explained Peter Laing, with Mawby Vineyards and Winery
and Great Lakes Business Network Executive Committee member. “We support
Attorney General Nessel’s efforts to continue to fight for the protection of
our livelihoods from Enbridge and its risky oil pipeline.”
“The
state of Michigan’s new report shows that Enbridge has misled decision makers
again and is in clear violation of the easement due to not being properly
insured for any spill from Line 5 in the Great Lakes, which could put Michigan
taxpayers on the hook for clean-up,” said Walker Modic, Environmental & Social
Sustainability Manager for Bell’s Brewery and Great Lakes Business Network
executive committee member. “Additionally, the Snyder agreements and the lame duck
legislation don’t require a firm date for Line 5 to be shut down in the open
waters of the Great Lakes and provide Enbridge full decision-making power at a
time when their word can’t be trusted. We encourage the governor to stand with
the attorney general in her effort to dissolve the easement. Enbridge cannot be
trusted to operate this pipeline safely, and they continue to prove they are not
acting in good faith.”
Bob Sutherland, owner
and president of Cherry Republic, based in Glen Arbor, also voiced his concern:
“It has been proven time and time again that Line 5 is not critical
infrastructure for Michigan, and alternatives for the small amount of product
we use are achievable in short order, so why are we allowing this Canadian
company to use the Great Lakes as a shortcut? Protecting our Great Lakes and
advancing a clean energy economy should be the top priority for Michigan
lawmakers. Instead we are still addressing this rushed lame duck handout to a
Canadian corporation.
“It’s
hard to understand why state decision makers continue to back this Canadian
company that is risking our drinking water and billions of dollars in economic
value that the Great Lakes provide to Michigan. The lame-duck legislation gives
Enbridge all decision-making power at a time when they have yet to provide
required insurance for any spill in the Great Lakes and continue to mislead
decision makers at every turn,” said Noah Marshall-Rashid, co-owner of American
Spoon Foods and executive committee member for the Great Lakes Business
Network.