Michigan is taking steps to shut down a pipeline that carries Western Canadian oil and natural gas into the U.S. and Ontario..Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office notified Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. it was revoking an easement granted 67 years ago to extend a 6.4 km section of the pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac..The revocation takes effect in 180 days, when the flow of oil must stop..“Enbridge has routinely refused to take action to protect our Great Lakes and the millions of Americans who depend on them for clean drinking water and good jobs,” the Democratic governor said in a statement..“They have repeatedly violated the terms of the 1953 easement by ignoring structural problems that put our Great Lakes and our families at risk..“Most importantly, Enbridge has imposed on the people of Michigan an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill in the Great Lakes that could devastate our economy and way of life.”.But Enbridge countered there was “no credible basis” for the action..“Line 5 remains safe, as envisioned by the 1953 Easement, and as recently validated by our federal safety regulator,” said Vern Yu, the company’s president for liquids pipelines, said in a statement.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .Line 5 carries oil from Western Canada to refineries in the U.S. and Ontario..It carries about 87 million liters of oil and natural gas liquids daily between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario, traversing parts of northern Michigan and Wisconsin..There is an underwater section between the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. It is divided into two pipes that are 50 cm in diameter. Enbridge says they are in good condition and have never leaked..Another Enbridge pipeline spilled 3.2 million liters of oil in the Kalamazoo River in southern Michigan in 2010..Enbridge said along with having to increase shipments by rail and tanker, the order will cause shortages of crude oil for refineries in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and eastern Canada, as well as propane shortages in northern Michigan..“Any disruption would have devastating consequences,” the company said..Former MP and energy expert Dan McTeague tweeted: “Hey #Toronto and #GTA … still think voting for a Party that killed the #EnergyEast pipeline was a bright idea without consequences ? Get ready to pay more for everything …”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
Michigan is taking steps to shut down a pipeline that carries Western Canadian oil and natural gas into the U.S. and Ontario..Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office notified Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. it was revoking an easement granted 67 years ago to extend a 6.4 km section of the pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac..The revocation takes effect in 180 days, when the flow of oil must stop..“Enbridge has routinely refused to take action to protect our Great Lakes and the millions of Americans who depend on them for clean drinking water and good jobs,” the Democratic governor said in a statement..“They have repeatedly violated the terms of the 1953 easement by ignoring structural problems that put our Great Lakes and our families at risk..“Most importantly, Enbridge has imposed on the people of Michigan an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill in the Great Lakes that could devastate our economy and way of life.”.But Enbridge countered there was “no credible basis” for the action..“Line 5 remains safe, as envisioned by the 1953 Easement, and as recently validated by our federal safety regulator,” said Vern Yu, the company’s president for liquids pipelines, said in a statement.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .Line 5 carries oil from Western Canada to refineries in the U.S. and Ontario..It carries about 87 million liters of oil and natural gas liquids daily between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario, traversing parts of northern Michigan and Wisconsin..There is an underwater section between the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. It is divided into two pipes that are 50 cm in diameter. Enbridge says they are in good condition and have never leaked..Another Enbridge pipeline spilled 3.2 million liters of oil in the Kalamazoo River in southern Michigan in 2010..Enbridge said along with having to increase shipments by rail and tanker, the order will cause shortages of crude oil for refineries in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and eastern Canada, as well as propane shortages in northern Michigan..“Any disruption would have devastating consequences,” the company said..Former MP and energy expert Dan McTeague tweeted: “Hey #Toronto and #GTA … still think voting for a Party that killed the #EnergyEast pipeline was a bright idea without consequences ? Get ready to pay more for everything …”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694