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Congress to probe Michigan oil spill
Credit: Reuters
DETROIT |
DETROIT (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional committee will probe the spill of more than 800,000 gallons (3 million liters) of oil from an Enbridge Inc pipeline in southern Michigan this week, a Michigan congressman said on Saturday.
The House subcommittee on railroads, pipelines, and hazardous materials will launch an investigation into the cause of the spill and the Calgary-based pipeline operator's response, Representative Mark Schauer said on his website.
"Enbridge needs to answer some tough questions about how this happened, and I plan to hold them fully accountable," Schauer, a Democrat, said in a statement.
"The company's failure to report the incident in a timely manner put public safety at risk, and we need to make sure something like this doesn't happen again," he said.
Schauer introduced legislation on Friday that would limit the time a company has to report an incident to the government's National Response Center, and increase fines for failure to notify the NRC within that time limit.
The Detroit Free Press, citing a local county official, said that an Enbridge employee talked to firefighters near the spill site on Sunday evening, a day before Enbridge reported the spill.
Enbridge spokeswoman Terri Larson denied that, calling the assertion "completely unsubstantiated," the newspaper said.
Enbridge said in a statement on Saturday that it continues to clean up the Talmadge Creek and Kalamazoo River, where about 19,500 barrels of oil has leaked near the company's pump station. It is using containment and absorbent booms at 28 sites around the spill area to remove oil.
"So far, we have been able to recover about 30,000 barrels of combined water and oil, about 5,000 barrels of which is oil," the company said.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson said on Friday that she was "very confident" that the oil's progress toward Lake Michigan has been stopped.
Jackson on Friday flew over the spill area including the oil-fouled Kalamazoo River with Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
Enbridge may face substantial fines from U.S. authorities for the spill. Under the Oil Pollution Act, fines of up to $4,300 a barrel ($100 a gallon) could be levied if it's determined the company was grossly negligent, or $1,100 per barrel if it was less egregious.
The company said it will pay all costs for the cleanup and on Saturday said it is setting up a claims process for residents affected by the spill.
(Editing by Eric Beech)
Has anyone ever seen the article about Ban Ki Moon and his Satanic occultic “Unified Church” in South America yet? Their actually worshipping Satan. I think this was to try and destroy our main water source. Lake Michigan and our rivers lakes and streams so people can’t go fishing.
I dont see much reporting of this leak in the American News stations. I dont hear President Obama demanding money for clean up operations. Similarly I didnt hear much about the American Oil company fined for 3 seperate oil spills in Ghana.
There seems to be a trend going on…..Americans cant control oil.
But lets blame everyone else…..
Even the leak in the Gulf of Mexico was caused by the American Coastguard not following its own procedures for putting out offshore fires. The boats under their control hosed too much salt water onto the platform which caused to to collapse and subsequently caused the leaks in the pipework which polluted the Gulf of Mexico. I dont suppose Mr Obama will be stating that on Television. Wake up America!!!
@RICHAL –
The leak was caused by the Coastguard now?
Are you freakin’ KIDDING me?
