(WLNS) – Should a more than 60-year-old oil pipeline that runs through the straights of Mackinac be shut down?
Environmental lobby groups say it’s just a matter of time before it leaks or ruptures.
But the company that owns it said its never had a problem.
6 News Capitol Correspondent Tim Skubick dives into the details of a new state report that looks at the safety.
For over a year the state attorney general and the Department of Environmental Quality have reviewed the safety of a pipeline that runs underneath the straits of Mackinac.
Environmentalists complain the 60-year-old pipeline, no. 5 should be shutdown to avert a possible leak or rupture.
The Enbridge Company has assured these state officials the line is safe. But is it?
“Michigan is safer. Michigan is safer now because of these recommendations,” said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
The DEQ director says he needs to know more about the pipeline safety.
“This pipeline has operated without incident for 61 years, but we need to ask for more and to know more to assure that we don’t have a problem going forward,” said Dan Wyant, director, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
The report calls for Enbridge to supply more data on pipeline inspections and related issues which to date the company has not provided. The report also recommends that no heavy crude oil flows through the line
But come to find out, the company never did that anyway.
That first recommendation of the report is very disappointing because they’re proposing to do absolutely nothing. We need to get some inspections and reroute that traffic to a less sensitive area.
Mr. Schuette argues the ban on crude prevents a spill.
