In my view, these lines under the Straits might not be approved today because of the risk of serious harm. Therefore, there is a strong argument that they should no longer be used to transport oil. As a matter of principle and public trust law, the state must never risk the Great Lakes for the benefit of a private interest, especially if alternative existing pipelines or alternative routes could be used. There is too much at stake: the Great Lakes support about 800,000 Michigan jobs, providing $54 billion a year in income.
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