In Other "Pipe Line" News: MIchigan V Canada (Page 1/2)
blackrams MAY 12, 01:01 PM
A Nasty Pipeline Showdown Is Brewing Today in Michigan, and Canada Is Pissed

https://earther.gizmodo.com...-michigan-1846877429

Seizing the profits of a major oil company, making Canadians angry, tugboats causing havoc: It’s all happening in Michigan right now. The mandated shutdown of a major oil pipeline is brewing into a nasty fight that pits Michigan’s governor and environmental groups against a fossil fuel company—as well as the country of Canada.

At issue are two pipelines owned and operated by Enbridge, an energy company headquartered in Canada, that ferry crude oil and natural gas to the U.S. via the Straits of Mackinac, a shipping channel in Michigan that connects two of the Great Lakes. The two pipelines are collectively known as Line 5—and they’re in pretty crappy shape. The lines were built in 1953, but were only designed to last for 50 years; Enbridge has, essentially, been stalling on making major repairs or replacements for close to two decades. Even before the pipelines met their expiration date, Line 5’s safety record has been pretty abysmal: Records collected by researchers in 2017 show that the pipeline has spilled at least 1.13 million gallons of fossil fuels in 30 separate incidents around Michigan since 1968.

A series of high-profile safety flukes in recent years haven’t done much to assuage fears. In 2010, another Enbridge line spilled 1 million gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo River, prompting concerns about the safety of Line 5. In 2018, a tugboat anchor, of all things, dented the Line 5 pipeline and caused a minor spill, while in 2020 Enbridge disclosed that different anchors had also damaged another area on the pipeline—right next to a spot where the protective coating had worn off. Sounds safe!

Last November, saying that Enbridge has “failed for decades to meet [safety] obligations” for the Line 5 pipeline and that it poses “an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill,” Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration terminated the easement that allowed Enbridge to operate Line 5, giving them until the end of May 12 to stop the flow of oil. Shutting down Line 5 had been one of Whitmer’s campaign promises; her administration has also set emissions reduction goals for 2025 and 2050, and her plan after the pipeline shuts down involves incorporating renewable energy and electrification to help replace the oil provided by the pipeline.

Currently, it's Michican V Canada, I wonder if it will stay that way.

Rams

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 05-12-2021).]

82-T/A [At Work] MAY 12, 01:21 PM

quote
Originally posted by blackrams:

A Nasty Pipeline Showdown Is Brewing Today in Michigan, and Canada Is Pissed

https://earther.gizmodo.com...-michigan-1846877429

Seizing the profits of a major oil company, making Canadians angry, tugboats causing havoc: It’s all happening in Michigan right now. The mandated shutdown of a major oil pipeline is brewing into a nasty fight that pits Michigan’s governor and environmental groups against a fossil fuel company—as well as the country of Canada.

At issue are two pipelines owned and operated by Enbridge, an energy company headquartered in Canada, that ferry crude oil and natural gas to the U.S. via the Straits of Mackinac, a shipping channel in Michigan that connects two of the Great Lakes. The two pipelines are collectively known as Line 5—and they’re in pretty crappy shape. The lines were built in 1953, but were only designed to last for 50 years; Enbridge has, essentially, been stalling on making major repairs or replacements for close to two decades. Even before the pipelines met their expiration date, Line 5’s safety record has been pretty abysmal: Records collected by researchers in 2017 show that the pipeline has spilled at least 1.13 million gallons of fossil fuels in 30 separate incidents around Michigan since 1968.

A series of high-profile safety flukes in recent years haven’t done much to assuage fears. In 2010, another Enbridge line spilled 1 million gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo River, prompting concerns about the safety of Line 5. In 2018, a tugboat anchor, of all things, dented the Line 5 pipeline and caused a minor spill, while in 2020 Enbridge disclosed that different anchors had also damaged another area on the pipeline—right next to a spot where the protective coating had worn off. Sounds safe!

Last November, saying that Enbridge has “failed for decades to meet [safety] obligations” for the Line 5 pipeline and that it poses “an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill,” Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration terminated the easement that allowed Enbridge to operate Line 5, giving them until the end of May 12 to stop the flow of oil. Shutting down Line 5 had been one of Whitmer’s campaign promises; her administration has also set emissions reduction goals for 2025 and 2050, and her plan after the pipeline shuts down involves incorporating renewable energy and electrification to help replace the oil provided by the pipeline.

Currently, it's Michican V Canada, I wonder if it will stay that way.

Rams





I can't disagree with her... they need to fix that **** . They have an obligation to ensure the pipeline operates environmentally safe and efficiently. If they can't do that, then it should be shut down. The only thing we're talking about is profits here. I'm a huge capitalist, but this is part of their responsibility and likely that Canadian company doesn't care... this is probably the only time I will ever agree with Whitmer.
blackrams MAY 12, 01:37 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
I can't disagree with her... they need to fix that **** . They have an obligation to ensure the pipeline operates environmentally safe and efficiently. If they can't do that, then it should be shut down. The only thing we're talking about is profits here. I'm a huge capitalist, but this is part of their responsibility and likely that Canadian company doesn't care... this is probably the only time I will ever agree with Whitmer.



Won't suggest you're right or wrong. I simply find it interesting how all of a sudden fossil fuel pipe lines are THE threat. If, this was such a dangerous situation, why did it take so long for her to take this action? I can't speak to the safety of this pipeline but, I do find the timing interesting.

Rams
82-T/A [At Work] MAY 12, 01:46 PM

quote
Originally posted by blackrams:

Won't suggest you're right or wrong. I simply find it interesting how all of a sudden fossil fuel pipe lines are THE threat. If, this was such a dangerous situation, why did it take so long for her to take this action? I can't speak to the safety of this pipeline but, I do find the timing interesting.

Rams




Oh, of course... she was just waiting for the proverbial "nod" from her leadership before she decided to do something about it. But I would also blame the Republicans that were in charge before her (Snyder I think?) and then the Democrat before him... and I can't remember before that.
blackrams MAY 12, 02:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
Oh, of course... she was just waiting for the proverbial "nod" from her leadership before she decided to do something about it. But I would also blame the Republicans that were in charge before her (Snyder I think?) and then the Democrat before him... and I can't remember before that.



Again, you may be correct (or not). I don't have access to their safety records, maintenance records or what their plans are for this set of pipelines. You may be right about permission though.

Rams
maryjane MAY 12, 02:34 PM
It's Michigan's problem, their history with it and their right to decide what they want to do.

If we're not from Michigan, our opinion means squat.
olejoedad MAY 12, 03:07 PM
This controversy isn't new, and the article is 'inaccurate'.

It doesn't mention the construction of a new line that was permitted by the previous Administration, construction started, and the current folks in office pulled the permitting for the new construction.

I won't go into more detail; if you're interested, you know how to work the internet.
blackrams MAY 12, 07:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

It's Michigan's problem, their history with it and their right to decide what they want to do.

If we're not from Michigan, our opinion means squat.



That would most certainly be true if that pipe line only serves Michiganders. Are you aware of that pipe line's service area?
Can't say I am.

Rams
hammer MAY 12, 07:45 PM
What Joe said....

[This message has been edited by hammer (edited 05-12-2021).]

cliffw MAY 12, 07:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:
It's Michigan's problem, their history with it, and their right to decide what they want to do.

If we're not from Michigan, our opinion means squat.



Our opinion means squat. We can cut all the CO2 all we want. We are the best in the world. Not worth a szhit on a shingle.