Enbridge's Michigan Border Pipeline Permit Gets 1991 Refresh
Published Date: 4/20/2026
Presidential Document
Summary
Enbridge Energy got the green light from the President 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 1991 and covers transporting all kinds of crude oil and petroleum products, but not natural gas. The pipeline must follow all current laws, and this approval keeps things moving smoothly without new fees or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Permit Allows Cross‑Border Oil Transport
On April 15, 2026 the President granted Enbridge a permit to operate and maintain the existing 30‑inch pipeline at the U.S.–Canada border in St. Clair County, Michigan to transport crude oil and petroleum products (refined or unrefined). The permit explicitly excludes natural gas subject to Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act.
Flexible Throughput and Flow Direction
The permit lets the operator change the average daily throughput capacity of the Border facilities to any volume achievable through the facilities and to change the directional flow of products without needing a Presidential amendment. That flexibility applies to operations of the existing Border facilities described in the permit.
Company Must Indemnify United States
The permit requires the permittee to hold harmless and indemnify the United States from any claimed or adjudged liability arising from operation or maintenance of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination from releases of hazardous substances or hazardous waste. This indemnity is a continuing condition of the permit.
Removal Obligation on Permit End
If the permit is terminated, revoked, or surrendered, the permittee must, at its own expense, remove the Border facilities within a time the President specifies. If the permittee fails to comply, the United States may remove the facilities and charge the cost to the permittee.
National‑Security Possession with Compensation
The United States may enter, take possession of, and retain the Border facilities when the President judges it necessary for national security, after giving due notice to the permittee. If the United States exercises that right, it must pay the permittee just and fair compensation for use and bear the cost of restoring the facilities, less the reasonable value of any improvements.
Inspections and Local Permitting Required
The Border facilities and their operation and maintenance are subject to inspection by authorized federal, state, and local agency representatives, and the permittee must obtain requisite permits from relevant State and local governmental entities. The facilities also remain subject to pipeline safety laws administered by PHMSA and other applicable laws and regulations.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-07729 — Authorizing Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership To Operate and Maintain Three Existing Pipeline Facilities at Pembina County, North Dakota, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Canada
Enbridge Energy got the green light to keep running and taking care of three existing pipelines crossing the U.S.-Canada border in Pembina County, North Dakota. This new permit replaces the old one from 1991 and lets them transport all kinds of crude oil and petroleum products safely and legally. No new fees or deadlines were announced, but Enbridge must follow all current laws while operating these pipelines.
Next: 2026-07731 — Authorizing Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C. To Operate and Maintain Existing Pipeline Facilities at Pembina County, North Dakota, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Canada
Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C. just got the green light from the President to keep running and taking care of their existing pipeline at the U.S.-Canada border in Pembina County, North Dakota. This new permit replaces the old one from 2008 and covers moving all kinds of crude oil and petroleum products across the border. The pipeline must keep following all safety and environmental rules, and this update kicks in right away with no new fees mentioned.