HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Congressman Fred Upton has sent a letter to Enbridge saying he expects immediate action and more transparency in its dealings, following the revelation that construction activities to left gaps and gouges in line 5’s waterproof coating.
The pipeline firm was trying to correct earlier complaints that the pipeline was no longer in compliance with the state compact because there was too much space between the anchors that bolt the pipeline to the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac.
The St. Joseph Congressman’s letter comes after the revelations there were gaps set off a new round of demands from environmental groups that the pipeline immediately be shut down.
“Number one, the protective coating needs to be replaced. Number two, we want to know just what is the timetable to repair that. Obviously winter is coming, we’ve seen big storms already with 8-12 foot waves down here on lower Lake Michigan and you can imagine what the straits is like. So we want some answers and we intend to get them. We know that some of the staples are missing onthe protective coating and want to know if its natural or man made, what are the risks and what are they doing to fix it.”
Upton says that it’s an old pipeline and it needs to be maintained 100 percent. If there is any risk at all, it needs to be addressed. Upton says the alternative of shipping oil on barges is not acceptable and until they get the answers on how safe this pipeline is, they will make sure every precaution is taken.
You can hear the complete interview right here.
