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Canada cites US treaty in pipeline dispute in Michigan

Mackinac Bridge
Amanda Barberena
/
WKAR-MSU

Canada is getting deeply involved in a dispute over an oil pipeline in Michigan.

Canada informed a judge that it is invoking a 1977 treaty with the United States.

That step should suspend a lawsuit by Michigan to shut down the pipeline. Line 5 is operated by Enbridge.

It runs from Wisconsin to Michigan to Ontario, Canada.

A section of the pipeline is in the Great Lakes above Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel say Line 5 is risky and should be shut down.

Enbridge plans to build an underwater tunnel to protect the pipeline under a deal made with Whitmer's predecessor, Gov. Rick Snyder.

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