A federal statement of interest has been filed in support of staying an injunction that would shut down the Line 5 pipeline in Wisconsin, operated by Enbridge.
The statement, filed by the Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Civil Division of the Justice Department, argues that a shutdown of the pipeline would disrupt the energy supply chain and cause increased costs for Americans.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Environment and Natural Resources Division stated, ‘If the Line 5 pipeline is shut down in June, America’s energy supply chain would be disrupted and Americans would see increased costs.’
The case has been pending appeal since December 2023 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The district court’s injunction requires Enbridge to cease operating its Line 5 pipeline in the Bad River Reservation by June 16, 2026.
The Justice Department’s statement of interest was filed alongside attorneys from the Law and Policy Section and the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch. Chief of Staff and Senior General Counsel John Adams of the Environment and Natural Resources Division was involved in the filing.
The shutdown of the Line 5 pipeline has been cited by the Justice Department as damaging the United States’ interest, as there are no ready alternatives to transport energy products currently flowing through the pipeline. This underscores the need for an affordable and reliable supply of energy for America’s prosperity and security, according to a statement from President Donald J. Trump.
The Justice Department’s statement of interest is a response to the district court’s injunction, which is set to take effect by June 16, 2026. The case is ongoing, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is currently considering the matter.
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Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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