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3w ago

Supreme Court Unanimously Keeps Michigan’s Line 5 Fight in State Court

The decision cements state-court control of Michigan's bid to void the Straits easement.

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: (L-R) U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor and U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson listen as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Photo by: Chip Somodevilla/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Overview

  • The Supreme Court, which ruled unanimously Wednesday, said Enbridge waited too long to shift Michigan’s Line 5 lawsuit to federal court.
  • The ruling keeps the case with a state judge as Michigan seeks to void the easement and shut the 4–4.5 mile Straits of Mackinac segment after coating gaps and a 2018 anchor strike raised spill fears.
  • The justices left in place a 6th Circuit finding that Enbridge missed the 30-day deadline for removing a state case to federal court.
  • Enbridge had argued for federal jurisdiction by pointing to a 1977 U.S.–Canada treaty that shields cross-border pipeline transit from state interference.
  • Separately, Enbridge is pursuing a tunnel to encase the straits section, with utility permits granted in 2023 while U.S. Army Corps and Michigan environmental reviews remain pending.