ST. IGNACE, MI-- Enbridge suspended operation of its Line 5 oil pipeline Sunday due to severe weather.
US Senator Gary Peters pressed the company to take the action after lake swells in the Straits of Mackinac topped 12 feet. Under an agreement with Governor Snyder, Enbridge reportedly said it would shut down the line if waves exceeded 8 feet.
Last week Enbridge said three dents were discovered in Line 5. Officials wonder if they were caused by whatever damaged an American Transmission Company utility line and dumped 600 gallons of dielectric fluid into the water.
Peters said high waves in the straits far exceeded conditions under which on-site equipment could clean up a spill, if it had happened over the weekend. He said it was “reckless and irresponsible” to operate the pipeline under such severe weather conditions.
