Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lake Michigan at risk from Kalamazoo River oil spill

Michigan oil spill threatening Kalamazoo River superfund site

The Kalamazoo River oil spill has spurred a declaration of a state of emergency in Michigan. An oil pipeline leaked and pumped almost 20,000 barrels of oil to the river, starting on Monday morning. The resulting oil slick is moving quickly within the water, and also the EPA and Enbridge Energy are working to control it.

The oil leak in Michigan

The reason for the oil pipeline leak is not yet known. The pipeline operator is estimating that there were 800,000 or more gallons of oil dumped into the river. The oil slick is quickly moving the 60 miles between the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. Residents are already reporting heavy fumes and oil-coated wildlife along the waterways.

Enbridge Energy takes responsibility for Michigan oil spill

Enbridge Energy, which is based in Houston, Texas, has already said it would “do all it can to minimize the spill’s impact on communities.” The pipeline, which was 30 inches thick, sent millions of gallons of oil a day to Canada from Indiana. Numerous individuals, such as the state governor, have questioned the dedication to the cleanup. Experts are saying that Enbridge has underestimated the spill by as much as 20 percent. Cleanup will likely cost various hundred million dollars.

Will the spill need the EPA’s help

The Kalamazoo River oil leak is huge – and also the EPA has been asked to help. There is a very significant concern, too, about the Kalamazoo River Superfund cleanup site. Gasoline fumes could interact with the PCBs at the cleanup site. This could cause very dangerous toxic fumes. The EPA is certain to have some kind of involvement, either financial or regulatory, in the cleanup.

Further reading

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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