As we reported earlier this week, on Monday, the Brandon Township Board of Trustees passed a resolution to take whatever legal steps necessary to require Enbridge to seek local consent from municipalities before commencing construction. At that time, they left open the question of what specific action they would take.

Last night in closed session, the board discussed this matter. When they emerged, they unanimously approved a motion to intervene in the POLAR lawsuit. As we noted before, this action (we think) will effectively resolve the issue of standing that was the concern of Judge Cleland at last month’s hearing. Hopefully, that will mean that the substantive issues at stake– most importantly the issue of the force of the state constitution and the Highway Act– to finally be heard.

Congratulations once again to Supervisor Kathy Thurman for her unflinching leadership and to the other board members for their spine. This is extremely heartening news!