EnergyMichigan regulator to weigh climate impact of Enbridge oil line tunnel
Nia Williams
2 minutes read
A state of Michigan regulator said on Wednesday it will consider the impact of climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions when deciding whether Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO) can build an underwater tunnel to rehouse a four-mile (6-km) section of its Line 5 oil pipeline.
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) agreed with interveners, including environmental groups, that GHG emissions are pollutants â¯whose impact must be considered under â¯the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. The Commission will also allow evidence to be presented on the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the fossil fuels being transported through the replacement segment, the MPSC said in a statement.
Michigan regulator to consider climate impact of tunnel for Enbridge s Line 5 pipeline theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“It makes clear that our understanding of what counts as pollution changes over time, and our agencies and courts need to change with that,” said Margrethe Kearney, a senior attorney with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, which fought to include a consideration of climate change as a factor in the commission’s ruling.
Enbridge, which had fought to keep climate change off the table, issued its own statement that did not address the commission’s climate findings. The statement said the company is “pleased” that commissioners rejected other attempts by its opponents to turn the commission’s deliberations into a review of the company’s entire pipeline system.
Michigan AG Nessel recaps busy 2020
Michigan AG Nessel’s office has been busy the past year, negotiating historic settlements, filing significant lawsuits, investigating serious threats and more.
Credit: AP
Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 at the Frank Kelley Law Library in the Williams Building in Lansing, Mich. Nessel gave updates on Michigan State University, the catholic church and Flint water investigations. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP) Author: 13 ON YOUR SIDE Staff Published: 2:49 PM EST December 30, 2020 Updated: 2:49 PM EST December 30, 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office has been busy the past 12 months, negotiating historic settlements, filing significant lawsuits, investigating serious threats and protecting consumers from an array of scams and deceptive business practices.