9 & 10 News May 12, 2021 With the utility tunnel set to replace the Line 5 pipeline still two-to-four years away from completion, many lawmakers and advocates are confused why Line 5 is being shut down now. According to a shutdown order put forth by Governor Gretchen Whitmer back in November, the Line 5 oil pipeline running under the Mackinac Straits must cease operation at midnight Wednesday night. “You can’t just shut it down,” said Representative Jack O’Malley, “Look what happened with the Colonial pipeline.” Skyrocketing utility prices, gas and oil shortages. That’s what Republicans say will happen across the state if Enbridge is forced to shut down the Line 5 pipeline without a reasonable replacement.