Sarnia's Mayor says the Michigan appeals court ruling on Line 5 is a positive thing.
On Wednesday, an appeals court ruled Enbridge's plans to construct a protective tunnel around a six-kilometre section of its Line 5 pipeline can move ahead.
"Once again the courts have given the green light to move to the next step and that next step involves spending half a billion dollars by Enbridge to protect that pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac," said Mike Bradley. "In Michigan, a number of the trade unions are supporting it because they see the opportunities there for work, it also protects the environment.
The Calgary based company announced plans for the project in 2018 and first submitted its application in April 2020.
Bradley said he's been closely watching the ongoing situation since the beginning.
"Every conversation I have with a federal minister, provincial minister or MPP or MP, Line 5 is featured," he said. "It's been an ongoing saga now for five years, and all the way through this the courts and others have continued to approve it."
The 72-year-old pipeline, which runs between Superior, Wisconsin and Sarnia, carries crude oil and natural gas liquids used in propane to industries in the city, other parts of Ontario and Quebec.
Bradley said local industries rely on the pipeline, which could also be targeted in a trade war.
"You're always worried about something unpredictable happening, and as the studies have shown it would have a devastating impact on Sarnia-Lambton immediately, also on Ontario, Quebec and ironically Michigan," said Bradley. "But we understand fully, if for any reason that line was disrupted for a month or six months or eventually closed down, it would impact thousands of jobs in Sarnia."
Enbridge previously said the Great Lakes Tunnel that would house Line 5, would be about 100 feet below the lakebed, and would take about four years to construct.