KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — State Sen. Rick Jones will be introducing legislation on Tuesday that he says would shut down oil pipelines in the Great Lakes.
According to a press release, It would prevent future pipeline construction through the lakes and require current pipeline operators to submit third-party test results to the state. If the line fails the independent testing, it would be forced to shut down under the legislation.
Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said he was prompted to write the bill after the University of Michigan published a study outlining the dangers of a potential leak from Enbridge’s Line 5, which is located under the Straits of Mackinac.
“Mackinac Island would be flooded with oil, it would damage Michigan tourism and Michigan fishing, and the danger to the drinking water would just be outrageous,” Jones said.
Enbridge has since called the study unrealistic.
Jones said he’s certain Line 5, which was constructed in the 1960s, would fail the independent review, forcing it to be decommissioned.
