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The State of Michigan is extending the deadline for requests for information and proposals concerning the Enbridge Line 5 pipelines that run in the Straits of Mackinac.
The proposals are for an independent risk analysis and independent alternatives analysis.
The risk analysis will focus on Enbridge’s potential liability for a worst case scenario spill from the Straits pipelines and its responsibility to maintain adequate financial assurance should such a spill take place.
The alternatives analysis will comprehensively compare alternatives to the existing pipelines to help inform decisions about their future.
Contractors requested more time to submit proposals so the deadline was extended to April 18th.
Here is the official press release:
April 5, 2016
State extends deadline for requests for information and proposals on Straits of Mackinac Pipelines
LANSING, Mich. – The state of Michigan today said it is extending the deadline for requests for information and proposals (RFIs) as a result of requests from prospective contractors who are interested in performing an independent risk analysis and an independent alternatives analysis related to the pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac known as Enbridge Line 5. The new deadline is extended to April 18 to allow contractors additional time to submit their proposals.
The risk analysis will focus on Enbridge’s potential liability for a worst case scenario spill from the Straits pipelines and its responsibility to maintain adequate financial assurance should such a spill take place. The alternatives analysis will comprehensively compare alternatives to the existing pipelines to help inform decisions about their future.
The Michigan Agency for Energy, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Attorney General jointly developed the RFIs and will be responsible for selecting and overseeing contractors for each analysis. The board and members of the public provided valuable input to the agencies in developing the RFIs.
The RFIs and instructions regarding submittal of questions and responses are available at michigan.gov/pipelinesafetyboard.
The RFIs were developed as a response to two recommendations listed in the Michigan Pipeline Task Force Report released in July 2015. Implementing the recommendations of the task force continues to be a priority of the state of Michigan and the Pipeline Safety Advisory Board as they work toward ensuring the safety, upkeep and transparency of issues related to Michigan’s network of pipelines.
The original deadline was April 11.
