Whitmer Focused on Shutting Down Line 5 as the Economy Suffers

October 11, 2021

Lansing, Mich., October 11, 2021 – After three years of conflict with the private Canadian company Enbridge over the Line 5 pipeline, Gretchen Whitmer’s disregard for an international treaty has now drawn the ire of the Canadian government. Last week, Canadian officials invoked their rights guaranteed by a treaty with the United States in 1977. The agreement ensures that neither country can shut down an international pipeline without reason or at least ten years’ notice. The Wall Street Journal reports:

“Ottawa last week formally invoked the dispute-resolution article of a 1977 treaty governing transit pipelines between the two nations. The treaty states that, except in an emergency, natural disaster or pressing safety concern, ‘no public authority in the territory of either’ the U.S. or Canada may take measures ‘which are intended to, or which would have the effect of, impeding, diverting, redirecting or interfering with in any way the transmission of hydrocarbon in transit.’”

Since taking office, Gretchen Whitmer has refused to acknowledge the long-term repercussions of a closure of Line 5. If she successfully shut down Line 5, Whitmer would further exacerbate the economic issues our state is currently facing. The subsequent economic, humanitarian, and environmental crises that would unfold would haunt Michiganders for decades. The Detroit News reports:

“The Line 5 tunnel would prevent such an accident in the Straits. Canada is appealing to the treaty to protect its economic, energy and environmental interests. In doing so, it is also protecting Michigan’s.”… “Whitmer is on the wrong the side of the Line 5 issue. She should stand down while the two nations work out their obligations and expectations under the treaty.”

Many believe Whitmer’s time would be better spent re-energizing Michigan’s economy and focusing on environmental issues that will help rather than damage our unique natural resources. Michigan has had one of the nation’s worst economic recoveries, but that has not stopped the governor from pushing her out-of-touch perspectives on Line 5.

“Michiganders already face many difficult issues that have been exacerbated by Governor Whitmer, yet she remains focused on further damaging the economy by shutting down Line 5,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “Michigan is one of the worst in the nation in terms of economic recovery. Gov. Whitmer needs to fix the problems she caused with our economy before parading around as a foreign diplomat.”