The Pennsylvania Chamber recently joined other chambers from the United States and Canada in filing an amicus brief in support of the Line 5 pipeline and plans to build the Great Lakes Tunnel.
Other signers to the brief filed this week in federal court were the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Chambers of Commerce from Ohio and Michigan, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
The brief was filed in opposition to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit against her decision to shut down the Line 5 pipeline.
In the brief, the Chambers noted that the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has added a sense of urgency in a legal resolution to the dispute to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable access to multiple energy sources, including the pipeline.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the need for increased energy production from North America, which is developed more responsibly than Russian oil and gas. The PA Chamber of Business and Industry is pleased to join with our state chambers in the Great Lakes region, along with the Canadian and U.S. chambers, in this effort to ensure the safe and reliable flow of energy continues between the United States and our biggest trading partner, Canada,” PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr said. “Line 5 delivers 540,000 barrels per day of oil and natural gas liquids to heat homes and fuel vehicles in parts of the Great Lakes region, including southwestern Pennsylvania. Notably, Line 5 supplies the refineries that produce aviation fuel to Pittsburgh International Airport, and this pipeline’s continued operation is key to energy security, our region’s economy, and environmental progress.”
The brief alleges that state officials have taken extraordinary measures to evade federal law by withdrawing a court case to enforce their shutdown order while leaving the shutdown order in place; that the order by state officials create real and chilling impacts on businesses that depend on interstate and international energy economy; and that leaving the legally challenged shutdown in place could impede the ability to construct a safer alternative.
“Governor Whitmer is wrong to seek the shutdown of Line 5. Now more than ever, consumers and businesses need access to reliable and affordable energy,” said Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute. “Shutting down Line 5 would exacerbate the pain from higher prices and historic inflation and would constrain an already disrupted energy supply. The U.S. Chamber is proud to stand with our state and local Chamber partners and other allies in the U.S. and Canada in this effort.”
Author: Liz CareyPublication: Pennsylvania Business Report
https://pennbizreport.com/