DETROIT – The state of Michigan is requiring Enbridge to replace a portion of the Line 5 oil pipeline that crosses beneath the St. Clair River with a new pipe in a tunnel under the river and review better options for the pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.
Gov. Rick Snyder's office announced the agreement Monday. Under the agreement between the state and Enbridge the pipeline will be tunneled beneath the St. Clair River and both parties will "undertake a study on the placement of a new pipeline or the existing dual pipelines in a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac," according to the governor's office.
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Enbridge also will be required to shut down oil transmission through Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac during adverse weather conditions that would hinder any oil recovery efforts if there were a spill.
READ: Great Lakes shoreline potentially vulnerable to Straits of Mackinac oil spills
Line 5 is a 645-mile pipeline that begins in Superior, Wisc., and terminates in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Line 5 transports up to 540,000 barrels a day of light crude oil and natural gas liquids, according to the governor's office.
Congressman Fred Upton, chair of the Subcommittee on Energy in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been working closely with the state on addressing concerns he has about Enbridge operations.
"This issue is not going away until it gets fixed," said Upton. "Zero tolerance for error is the only thing we will accept along with the highest safety standards in place to ensure the Great Lakes will not be at risk. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Snyder and the state of Michigan in coordinating a state and federal response. We will stay on the case through completion."
Under stipulations detailed in the agreement, the state is requiring Enbridge to:
- Replace the portion of Line 5 that crosses beneath the St. Clair River with a new pipe in a tunnel under the river, a site where similar pipeline construction for Line 6B was successfully accomplished a few years ago. The St. Clair River is an important source of drinking water and an environmentally sensitive location along the pipeline. The underground replacement line will significantly lower the risk that oil could reach the river or the Great Lakes.
- Undertake a study, in conjunction with the state, on the placement of a new pipeline or the existing dual pipelines in a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The state’s alternative analysis identified tunneling as an alternative to the current pipelines. This study will examine several possible techniques and allow a much more detailed examination on the technical feasibility of such a tunnel.
- Temporarily shut down operation of Line 5 in the straits during periods of sustained adverse weather conditions, because those conditions do not allow effective response to potential oil spills. “Sustained adverse weather conditions” are defined in an appendix of the agreement.
- Assess the possible installation of underwater technologies, including cameras, to better monitor the pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac.
- Implement technologies that improve the safety of Line 5 in the straits by allowing faster detection and a more immediate response in the event of a spill.
- Implement measures to mitigate a potential vessel anchor strike on Line 5 beneath the straits. A vessel anchor strike was identified in the final alternatives analysis as one of the most serious threats to Line 5 safety in the straits.
- In partnership with the state, implement additional measures to minimize the likelihood of an oil spill at every Line 5 water crossing in Michigan.
- Increase transparency by:
- providing the opportunity for the state to fully participate in each of the evaluations required under the agreement;
- providing all information requested by the state about the operation of Line 5 in Michigan; and
- meet regularly with the state to assess and discuss any changes to the pipeline’s operation.
"This agreement is necessary to ensure increased oversight, transparency and accountability on the part of Enbridge,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “As we continue to evaluate the pipeline at the straits, we must make sure appropriate safeguards for natural resources are in place along the full length of Line 5 in Michigan."
Enbridge releases own statement on pipeline agreement with Michigan
In a statement released Monday, Enbridge said they are facing a June 2018 deadline under this agreement. The oil company said the Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac "remains in good shape and is fit for service."
"We realize our internal technical studies and understanding haven’t translated well into reassuring the public or Michigan leaders about the ongoing safe operation of Line 5. We apologize if our actions sometimes have created confusion," the statement reads. "Many Michiganders have joined Governor Snyder in expressing, with increasing frequency, concerns regarding the safety of Line 5 in the Straits. Enbridge not only is hearing those concerns, we are listening. Most important, we are taking actions to address these concerns. We hope the agreement is a step in a positive direction to demonstrate our commitment to doing the right thing to serve Michigan and protect the waters of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are a treasure that must be preserved now and for future generations. Trust is earned, and while we have a long way to go, we remain committed to doing what it takes to rebuild trust and uphold our pledge to protect the environment while safely meeting Michigan’s energy needs."
Here's what Enbridge said it is tasked with doing under this new agreement with the state of Michigan:
- By June 2018, we will have evaluated three options for the eventual replacement of the dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac. The options that we will evaluate with the State include: placing a new pipeline in a tunnel under the Straits; installing a new pipeline below the lakebed of the Straits using horizontal directional drilling (HDD); and, creating a trench on the bottom of the Great Lakes and placing a new pipeline in a secondary containment structure or system.
- Temporarily shut down the operation of Line 5 when adverse weather conditions create sustained waves higher than eight feet in the Straits
- Put into place additional safety measures to further mitigate a potential anchor strike from boats in the Straits
- By June 2018, evaluate additional state-of-the-art tools and underwater technologies that could help further inspect and maintain Line 5 in the Straits and assess the condition of the coating on the twin pipelines
- Work with the State on plans to enhance safety and reduce the potential impacts at other Line 5 water crossings
- Replace the Line 5 St. Clair River crossing as soon as we receive the necessary federal and state approvals. The new pipe will be installed underneath the river bed using HDD; and,
- Increase coordination with the State regarding the operations, maintenance and future of Line 5 and promote transparency between Enbridge and the State of Michigan. State representatives will have access to our data, studies, and will collaborate with us every step of the way.