WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO-AM) — Michigan’s U.S. Senators have written legislation that would institute a number of new pipeline regulations that are specifically targeted at the Line 5 Pipeline owned by Enbridge that runs under the Straits of Mackinac, but would apply to any pipeline in the Great Lakes region.
It calls for a risk assessment of the Michigan pipeline, a ban the shipment of crude oil by ships on the Great Lakes and would require that the Coast Guard come up with clean-up plans if the waterway is covered by ice.
They say there is simply too much at stake to leave it to the pipeline firms to self-regulate.
“This would a disaster from a commerce standpoint, from a tourism standpoint, and a quality of life standpoint,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow said.
“It’ll be applied to all lines,” Sen. Gary Peters said. “These are requirements, and these studies require the older lines as well.”
Stabenow said the recent effort completed by Attorney General Bill Schuette “moves the ball down the road,” but has no practical impact.
The Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act goes to committee next week.
– John McNeill
