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Supreme Court Keeps Line 5 Case in State Court, Shutdown Remains

4/23/2026

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court, in an opinion authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, unanimously ruled the Line 5 lawsuit must stay in Michigan state court, siding with the state.
A federal judge ordered the shutdown of the Line 5 segment on Bad River Band tribal land in Wisconsin, and the order remains in effect.
Enbridge disclosed in 2017 coating gaps dating to 2014 while pursuing a tunnel-encasement for the Straits section pending approvals.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill underscored the dangers of pipeline failures, with the EPA noting over 1,000 annual oil spills. In 2019, Michigan's lawsuit against Enbridge's Line 5 highlighted ongoing tensions between state rights and federal oversight. The recent Supreme Court ruling may shape future legal disputes over energy projects and tribal land rights, emphasizing the need for stricter environmental regulations.

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Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court, in an opinion authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, unanimously ruled the Line 5 lawsuit must stay in Michigan state court, siding with the state.
A federal judge ordered the shutdown of the Line 5 segment on Bad River Band tribal land in Wisconsin, and the order remains in effect.
Enbridge disclosed in 2017 coating gaps dating to 2014 while pursuing a tunnel-encasement for the Straits section pending approvals.

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