17 state leaders join Michigan's plea for state sovereignty in Line 5 battle
Democratic leaders in 16 states and the District of Columbia have taken Michigan's side in its fight to have a state court, not a federal judge, decide whether the state has the authority to shutter Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.
The states submitted an amicus brief earlier this month, arguing that federal courts don't have the jurisdiction to rule on disputes over state property rights even if the pipeline alleged to be in violation of those property rights is federally regulated.
Attorney General Dana Nessel asked Ingham County Circuit Court last year to uphold Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's revocation of Enbridge's easement in the Straits of Mackinac as well as her order to shutter the pipeline by May 12.