A new bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Candice Miller calls for a comprehensive study of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, and would require a shutdown if the pipelines are shown to pose a significant risk.
Miller, R-Harrison Township representing Michigan's 10th district, said her Great Lakes Pipeline Safety Act of 2016 is intended to ensure the protection of Michigan's waters, requiring an 18-month study to “determine the economic and environmental risks to the Great Lakes of spills or leaks of the pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac, as well as an assessment of spill responses.”
The legislation — which still faces many hurdles before even being considered by Congress — is openly aimed at Canadian oil transport company Enbridge’s Line 5, twin pipelines which can move about 23 million gallons of light crude and natural gas liquids through the straits daily.
“I understand many may consider this to be too drastic and costly a move, but I guarantee the price of inaction will be higher.” - U.S. Representative Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, MI
The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the potential effects of a rupture, as well as evaluate “the condition and structural integrity of the pipeline.”
Read the entire story at the Detroit Free Press
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