West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey is leading a coalition of 18 states in an amicus brief filed in Enbridge Energy v. Gretchen Whitmer to keep a key gas pipeline open.
The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline starts and ends in Canada and carries more than 20 million gallons of light crude oil and natural gas liquids every day, fueling energy needs throughout the country. But Michigan officials are trying to shut down the line at an underwater crossing at the Straits of Mackinac. If Michigan succeeds, McCuskey and the other AGs say it would drastically reduce the nation’s energy supply and drive prices even higher.
The coalition is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to affirm a district court ruling that rejected Michigan’s attempt to close off the line. The coalition claims the federal Pipeline Safety Act gives the federal government authority over the issue, not individual states. The amicus brief also points out that Michigan’s actions violate an international treaty with Canada concerning pipelines.
“Michigan cannot unilaterally shut down a pipeline that fuels homes, businesses, and industries far beyond its own borders,” McCuskey said. “Congress placed pipeline safety squarely in federal hands for exactly this reason – so that one state cannot hold the nation's energy supply hostage.”
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Utah joined West Virginia in the brief.
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Three financial institutions that received letters from McCuskey’s office regarding possible violations of the Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act have pledged not to discriminate against lawful firearm commerce.
Ramp, BILL, and the First Internet Bank of Indiana each said via letter they do not categorically refuse to serve firearms industry companies. The assurances follow warning letters sent last week informing the companies that their refusal to provide payment processing services to Kent Cartridge Company could violate West Virginia’s FIND Act.
Kent Cartridge Company has produced premium, environmentally friendly ammunition at its factory in Kearneysville, in the Eastern Panhandle, for more than 30 years.
Additionally, BILL has informed McCuskey’s office that it has now entered into a business relationship with Kent Cartridge Company.
“We are pleased that these financial companies have confirmed that they will treat members of the firearms industry the same way they treat all other business,” McCuskey said. “The FIND Act exists because West Virginians care deeply about the right to bear arms and my Office is committed to protecting that right.
“I encourage any West Virginia firearms business, large or small, to reach out to our office if they have faced discrimination by a financial institution, bank, credit card company, or payment processor. We will investigate, and when warranted, take action.”
