(Published 03/08/2022- MIRS.news) With inflation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine stirring up the fossil fuel debate at home, Michigan Republicans are calling on Democratic leaders to loosen their reins in the Line 5 debate.
"Now more than ever, it is time for Dana NESSEL to end this ridiculous partisan crusade and put Michiganders first. Energy prices continue to skyrocket while Michigan families are struggling to make ends meet," said Tom LEONARD, the state's former House speaker who's vying to be the GOP nominee for attorney general.
Leonard submitted a letter to the Democratic Attorney General, who's been at the forefront of state lawsuits to revoke and terminate Enbridge's ability to operate the dual pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac. However, the Attorney General is still waiting to see if the case will progress in the state court or tossed up to federal jurisdiction.
"The last thing we need is our government making the problem worse. Fuel costs alone are at record levels and Dana's actions will push the price well over $5 a gallon. Shutting down Line 5 will cost Michigan and the rest of the Midwest billions in higher monthly bills," Leonard said in his letter. "There is a strong plan in place to protect our environment and our energy security, but first we need Dana to get out of the way."
When asked Monday if Russia's invasion on Ukraine has influenced her role at all in the Line 5 debate, Nessel said any effort to connect the two things is "irresponsible."
"There is not a connection between those two things, so it's not gonna change my efforts nor will whatever happens in that case change the price of fuel here in the state of Michigan," she said.
An informal Twitter poll conducted by journalist Taylor DESORMEAU, MLive's data reporter, found 39.7% of its respondents were driving regardless of the rising cost of gas. Meanwhile, 20.6% said driving will be limited once the price hits $5 per gallon and another 20.6% were already reducing their time on the road as of Mar. 5.
As of Feb. 10 of this year, inflation in the United States hit an annual rate of 7.5%, marking the highest it's been in 40 years. With both inflation and bans on Russian crude oil already lifting anxiety at the gas pump, supporters of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac have gained some new ammunition in their effort to keep its operation going.
A 2022 report from the Consumer Energy Alliance found if Line 5 were to be shutdown, the Midwest region – Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana – would pay between $4.8 billion and $5.9 billion extra annually on diesel and gasoline.
For Michigan families and businesses specifically, the study said increased spending would total $1.8 billion to $2.2 billion more each year for gasoline and diesel in the aftermath of a Line 5 closure.
While Gov. Gretchen WHITMER joined five other Democratic governors in urging Congress to suspend the 18.4-cents-per gallon federal gas tax until the end of the year, Line 5 appears to be a non-negotiable priority for Michigan Democrats.
GOP gubernatorial candidate James CRAIG asked MIRS whether Whitmer would back off her support of shutting down Line 5, adding it's a "sad reality" that the cost of gas is continuing to rise.
