Enbridge Gets Permit Refresh for Michigan Border Oil Pipeline
Published Date: 4/20/2026
Presidential Document
Summary
Enbridge Energy Company got the green light to keep running and taking care of their existing oil pipeline at the U.S.-Canada border in St. Clair County, Michigan. This new permit replaces the old one from 1953 and covers transporting all kinds of crude oil and petroleum products, but not natural gas. The company must follow all current laws, and this approval keeps energy flowing smoothly without new fees or delays.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Permit allows cross‑border oil transport
You (the permittee) are authorized to operate and maintain the pipeline Border facilities in St. Clair County, Michigan to transport crude oil and petroleum products of every description between the United States and Canada, but not natural gas subject to section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b). This permission is granted by the Presidential permit signed April 15, 2026.
Company must indemnify U.S. for liabilities
The permittee must hold harmless and indemnify the United States from any claimed or adjudged liability arising out of operation or maintenance of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination from the release, threatened release, or discharge of hazardous substances or hazardous waste.
Obligation to remove facilities at own expense
If this permit is terminated, revoked, or surrendered, the permittee must, at its own expense, remove the Border facilities within the time the President specifies; if the permittee fails to comply, the President may direct removal at the permittee's expense and the permittee shall have no claim for damages caused by such possession or removal.
Can change throughput and flow freely
The permittee may make changes to the average daily throughput capacity of the Border facilities to any volume of products that is achievable through the Border facilities, and may change the directional flow of those products, without those changes being treated as a 'substantial change' requiring a new Presidential amendment.
Subject to safety laws and inspections
The Border facilities and their operation and maintenance are subject to inspection by appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including pipeline safety laws and regulations administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The permittee must also obtain requisite State and local permits.
Government can seize for national security (with pay)
The United States may enter upon and take possession, management, or control of the Border facilities when the President determines it is required for national security, after due notice; in that event the United States will pay just and fair compensation for use (based on a reasonable profit in normal conditions) and bear the cost of restoring the Border facilities to their previous condition, less the reasonable value of any improvements made by the United States.
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