Michigan Demands More Info On Line 5's Condition

LANSING, MI – Gov. Rick Snyder and his administration on Monday expressed new worries over the structural integrity of oil and gas pipelines that run under a Great Lakes waterway. The state has called on Enbridge Energy Partners, a Canadian company, to provide a full accounting of the Line 5 pipelines that run under the Straits of Mackinac, after it revealed on Monday there are gaps in the pipeline coatings.

The company must provide an update during the state's Pipeline Safety Advisory Board meeting on Dec. 11, according to a statement from the Michigan Agency For Energy. Enbridge must provide all the findings it has made regarding the pipelines' conditions, their protective coatings and anchors, and the results of its video inspections and other testing.

"This is very troubling and points out exactly why the state has been vigilant about getting information from Enbridge," said Heidi Grether, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and co-chair of the PSAB. "It is essential that we get adequate and accurate information from Enbridge to allow the state to continue our pursuit of protecting the Great Lakes."

The state is expected to bring in additional experts to review the reports and data provided by Enbridge, according to the statement from the Michigan Agency For Energy.

Enbridge has an easement, issued by the state of Michigan in 1953, to run the 4.5-mile section of pipelines from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, under the Straits of Mackinac. The pipelines carry an estimated 23 million gallons of oil and natural gas from Wisconsin, across Michigan, and onto refineries in Ontario each day.

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Also on Monday, Gov. Snyder issued a statement that he had "significant" concerns after Enbridge's report.

"I am no longer satisfied with the operational activities and public information tactics that have become status quo for Enbridge," Snyder said in a statement. "It is vitally important that Enbridge immediately become much more transparent about the condition of Line 5 and their activities to ensure protection of the Great Lakes."

Enbridge, based in Calgary, Alberta, has disclosed in recent months that gaps have formed in protective enamel coating on the outside of the pipes. Enbridge acknowledged in October some of its personnel knew about the problem for years but only recently informed the state.

Company inspectors found three spots of bare steel, plus calcareous deposits at "many of the locations," said a company official during a conference call with reporters on Monday. The pipelines were inspected by divers.

The state plans to release a final report Nov. 20 on options for transporting the oil and natural gas carried by Line 5. After the report is issued, there will be three public hearings across the state:

• Wednesday, Dec. 6, in Taylor, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center, Wayne County Community College District, Downriver Campus, 21000 Northline Road.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12, in St. Ignace, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Little Bear Arena & Community Center, 275 Marquette St.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Traverse City, beginning at 6 p.m., West Bay Beach Holiday Inn Resort, Leelanau Banquet Rooms, 615 E. Front St.

File photo: The sun sets on the Straits of Mackinac (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Some information for this story came from the Associated Press