KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — After hours of public comment and debate that has lasted for months, the Kalamazoo County Commission has approved a resolution calling for the shutdown of Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline, which runs under the Straits of Mackinac.
The board brought in Enbridge Spokesperson Jason Manshum and Stephanie Mabie with Kent County Water Conservation to answer questions and make presentations.
Manshum said it’s really about their people and their desire to improve and maintain safety, especially after what happened near Marshall. Mabie said the people of Enbridge have a poor track record when it comes to spills, and drills in the straits show there might be a 12-hour delay before crews could respond to a leak in that body of water.
After an long meeting last night, the Commission voted 7-3 to approve the resolution, which will go to the Gov. Rick Snyder and state lawmakers. It should also effectively end a seige by protestors who have been elongating board meetings with discussion of the pipeline issue over the past two months.
