The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the ongoing Line 5 oil pipeline case will remain in Michigan, rejecting the operator's bid to move it to federal court.

The justices found the company, Enbridge, waited too long to try to shift the case. The dispute centers on the aging pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, where environmental groups warn a potential oil spill in the Great Lakes could be catastrophic.

David Holtz, coordinator for the Oil and Water Don’t Mix Coalition, said the day of the high court's decision adds to its significance.

"It's the best possible news to have on Earth Day," he said. "The case will head back to state court where it belongs. Thanks to Michigan's attorney general, we're closer than ever to putting this oil pipeline in the rearview mirror."

In a statement, Enbridge said, in part, that the safety of Line 5 is regulated at the federal level by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which conducts regular inspections and has found the pipeline in compliance, with no issues requiring shutdown.

While Line 5 critics have called the decision a major step toward shutting down the pipeline, Holtz said the fight is far from over. He pointed to related cases still playing out in the courts - including one before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Still, he said, the movement to shut it down is gaining support across the region.

"Tribal nations and others across the political divide have been voicing the same demand for years now," he said. "Shut down Line 5. It's America's most dangerous pipeline."

Meantime, Enbridge pointed to earlier rulings suggesting shutdown efforts may be blocked by federal law. The company also said it remains committed to operating Line 5 safely and working with regulators and stakeholders.

Source: Public News Service