A cause for celebration: Michigan Supreme Court to hear Line 5 legal challenges

Recently, there was big news in our shared, years-long battle to protect the Great Lakes from Enbridge’s dangerous Line 5 oil pipeline: the Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to hear challenges to Enbridge’s permit to build a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac!

The Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi – together with the Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Michigan Climate Action Network – are challenging the permit.

This is a huge development – and it’s happening because of the hard work of our partners, tribal nations, and environmental advocates like YOU who have fought tirelessly to hold Enbridge accountable.

The challengers argue that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) ignored critical evidence about spill risks, failed to respect treaty rights, and neglected its duty to protect our waters under the public trust doctrine. By agreeing to hear the case, the Michigan Supreme Court has signaled that these concerns deserve to be heard at the highest level.

At the same time, we’re up against strong headwinds.

Trump’s Department of Justice has filed in federal court to back Enbridge, arguing that Michigan has no right to shut down the pipeline and pushing to fast-track the tunnel project. This move shows just how far the oil industry and its allies are willing to go to keep Line 5 pumping oil through our Great Lakes — even at the expense of our water, communities, and climate.

But here’s the good news: our movement is strong and is making a real difference.

From the courtroom to the Capitol, Michigan LCV and our partners are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Michigan’s tribes, local communities, and grassroots advocates to protect our Great Lakes, economy, and way of life. Together, we are fighting to ensure Enbridge is not the only voice in the room.

This moment is worth celebrating.

The fight is far from over, but thanks to people like you who stay engaged, we are moving closer to a future where Line 5 is no longer a looming threat to our state and the Great Lakes.

We’ll continue to keep you updated every step of the way. For now, take heart: we have momentum on our side.