The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in February regarding the jurisdiction over Enbridge Energy’s controversial Line five project.
The case involves Enbridge’s attempt to move litigation from Michigan courts to federal courts.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argues that Line five poses an unacceptable environmental risk to the Great Lakes and contends that the matter should be resolved at the state level.
Enbridge removed the Line five case to federal court on Dec. 15, 2021, following an adverse ruling from a state court. Since then, the parties have been engaged in disputes over the appropriateness of this removal, with no progress made in the underlying case.
In earlier rulings, Enbridge won a case before a federal judge in western Michigan; however, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently ruled in favor of the state, emphasizing local jurisdiction.
Ryan Duffy, a spokesman for Enbridge, stated in January that the company is encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case.
He indicated that the matter involves international issues that should fall under federal jurisdiction and referenced ongoing federal litigation related to Line five.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on this case in February 2026 regarding its jurisdiction, which could play a critical role in determining the future of Line five.