KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — The Canadian Pipeline firm, Enbridge is making a series of five stops around the state to tell their side of the story on the pipeline issue and if last night’s debut event was any indication, there is only a little interest in what they have to say.
Their first stop was in Marshall, the town that was known for its historic homes and its fountain before it became ground zero for the second biggest oil spill in U.S. History.
Spokesman Ryan Duffy says they are just trying to assure people that they are working very hard to avoid any more spills, and they take their responsibility seriously when they occur.
Only a couple of dozen came through, mostly area officials, and a few environmentalists.
They will hold a second event in at Milton Township Hall near Niles Thursday evening from 6 to 8.
Enbridge says it’s extremely unlikely that there could ever be a leak in the twin pipelines that run under the Straits in Michigan, like the one that occurred near Marshall but they are spending millions to be prepared just in case there is.
Steven Lloyd, who is in charge of responding to spills says the twin pipes under the Straits may have been installed at about the same time as the one that failed near Marshall, but they are not the same pipes.
The ones under the Straits are thicker and have different corrosion protection. They are also engineered to be underwater.
State officials are waiting for independent evaluations and fact finding before the move forward.
The State has hired a pair of independent contractors to provide risk analysis and alternatives.
One group, DNV GL is doing the risk assessment, analyzing any of the pipeline’s vulnerabilities. A second firm, Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems Inc. has been contracted to weigh the relative risks and propose possible alternative ways of moving the gas and oil to the markets they serve.
Senator Rick Jones says Michigan can pull the plug by canceling Enbridge’s easement on the use of the bottom of the waterway.
He says after all, they are just taking a short cut through Michigan to get from Canadian wells to refineries in Sarnia, Ontario.
The company disputes that, saying they provide most of the propane used in the State of Michigan and other fuels used by a wide variety of customers.
The contractors could deliver their reports and recommendations as soon as June.
