The Kalamazoo River oil leak has spurred a declaration of a state of emergency in Michigan. At 9:45 a.m. on Monday morning, an oil pipeline began leaking 19,500 barrels of oil to the river. The EPA and Enbridge Energy are working together to try and control the oil slick.
The oil leak in Michigan
The cause of the leak is not yet known, but it was not instantly shut down. Thus far, the operator of the pipeline, Enbridge Energy estimates that more than 800,000 gallons of oil dumped into the river. Only about 60 miles away from Lake Michigan, the Kalamazoo River oil leak is quickly moving toward the lake. Residents are already reporting heavy fumes and oil-coated wildlife along the waterways.
Restitution from Enbridge Energy promised
According to spokespeople for Enbridge Energy, the business will “do all it can to minimize the spill’s impact on communities.” The 30-inch pipeline was used to carry crude oil from Griffith, Ind., to Sarnia, Ontario. Governor Jennifer Granholm, among others, has questioned dedication to the clean-up. While Enbridge has estimated that 819,000 gallons have spilled, other experts have put the number at 1,000,000 gallons or more. The cleanup will probably cost within the range of various hundred million dollars .
Will the EPA help clean up the spill
The Kalamazoo River oil spill is huge – and also the EPA has been asked to help. There are significant concerns about the Kalamazoo River Superfund cleanup site. PCBs found within the cleanup site could interact with the gasoline fumes. This could create fumes that are toxic to animals and people. The EPA has not yet committed to helping clean up the Kalamazoo River oil leak, though they’ll most likely have heavy involvement — financial or otherwise — in the cleanup.
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/07/29/us/29michigan.html?partner=rss and amp;emc=rss
Blogging for Michigan
bloggingformichigan.com/frontPage.do
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