UP Gazette

State Representative Dave Prestin of Cedar River issued a statement following the Michigan Court of Appeals' decision to uphold the Michigan Public Service Commission's approval for the relocation of the Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline. The court's ruling supports moving a section of the pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

Rep. Prestin stated, "The Court of Appeals decision today just underscores what we already knew: Enbridge’s plan to relocate the Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac is the safest and most efficient way to ensure continued access to a stream of reliable, baseload energy for Michigan homes and businesses."

He criticized efforts by Attorney General Dana Nessel to halt the project, noting, "Those of us who live in rural communities know the Attorney General’s crusade to shut down the pipeline was never realistic. The court made that abundantly clear today. Enbridge did its job and submitted a common-sense proposal to make the pipeline safer, and left-wing activists – empowered by activist Attorney General Dana Nessel – still tried to shut them down."

Prestin also called on federal officials for expedited review processes, stating, "I hope this decision encourages President Trump and federal officials to push the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite their review of the tunnel project as I suggested in my letter last year."

The MPSC had previously approved rerouting a four-mile section within a concrete tunnel under water bodies crucial for delivering crude oil essential for heating and cooking.