A U.S. district judge in Michigan on December 17, 2025 ruled that the state could not enforce a 2020 shutdown order that would have required Enbridge Inc. to halt operations on its Line 5 oil‑transport pipeline. The decision preserves the pipeline’s daily flow of roughly 540,000 barrels of crude and condensate and removes a regulatory threat that had lingered for several years.
The ruling was grounded in federal preemption under the Pipeline Safety Act of 1992 and a 1977 treaty between the United States and Canada that guarantees the uninterrupted flow of petroleum products across the border. Judge Robert Jonker held that Michigan’s authority to shut down an interstate pipeline is superseded by federal law and the existing federal permits that authorize Line 5’s operation.
Enbridge welcomed the decision, noting that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has never taken enforcement action against Line 5 and that the pipeline has a long record of safe operation. “The Court affirmed that PHMSA is the exclusive federal regulator of pipeline safety,” a company spokesperson said, adding that Enbridge will continue to work closely with PHMSA to maintain safety and reliability.
The ruling delivers immediate operational certainty for Enbridge and protects a key asset that contributes substantially to the company’s liquids pipeline volume. By keeping Line 5 running, Enbridge avoids the financial and contractual risks that a shutdown would have imposed, reinforcing the company’s long‑term growth strategy and its focus on integrated infrastructure development.
While the decision is a win for Enbridge, it does not eliminate all challenges. Environmental groups remain opposed to the pipeline’s proposed tunnel project under the Straits of Mackinac, and a separate Wisconsin court has ordered a section of Line 5 on tribal land to be rerouted or shut down. The Michigan ruling, however, sets a precedent for federal preemption that could influence future disputes over interstate pipeline regulation.
Overall, the judge’s decision strengthens Enbridge’s position in the Great Lakes region, confirms the primacy of federal oversight for interstate pipelines, and underscores the company’s resilience in the face of regulatory and environmental headwinds.
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