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Michigan Supreme Court justices received Jane Fonda PAC funds before Line 5 ruling
Campaign finance records reveal that the Jane Fonda Climate PAC contributed $5,000 each to Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh and Justice Noah Hood approximately six weeks before the court issued a ruling regarding the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline project.
In a 6-1 decision, the court vacated the Michigan Public Service Commission’s approval of the Line 5 tunnel permit, returning the application for further review. The majority found that regulators had not adequately considered environmental protection laws, specifically regarding whether the tunnel would extend the pipeline's operating life or cause additional environmental harm to public-trust resources.
The ruling does not mandate an immediate shutdown of the 645-mile pipeline, which transports light crude oil and natural gas liquids through Michigan and into Canada. Both Cavanagh and Hood were among the six justices who supported the majority decision. The PAC, founded by actress and activist Jane Fonda, has publicly opposed fossil fuel projects.
Entities
Enbridge · Jane Fonda Climate PAC · Megan Cavanagh · Michigan Supreme Court · Noah Hood
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court's decision sent the Line 5 tunnel permit back for further review rather than ordering an immediate shutdown. wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Jane Fonda Climate PAC contributed $5,000 each to Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh and Justice Noah Hood. heartlandernews.com · wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Michigan Supreme Court issued a 6-1 decision to vacate the approval of Enbridge’s Line 5 project. heartlandernews.com · wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Line 5 is a 645-mile pipeline that transports light crude oil and natural gas liquids. heartlandernews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court ruled that regulators failed to adequately consider environmental impacts and public-trust resources regarding the Line 5 tunnel permit. heartlandernews.com · wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The contributions were made approximately six weeks before the court's ruling. heartlandernews.com · wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com