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LANSING, Mich. – The state has scheduled a feedback session to allow the public to ask questions and make comments about the draft independent analysis that studied the potential impact a spill from Enbridge Energy Partners’ Line 5 could have on the Straits of Mackinac.
The feedback session on the Independent Risk Analysis for the Straits Pipelines is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the Boyne Highlands Convention Center in Harbor Springs.
A team led by Dr. Guy Meadows of Michigan Technological University submitted its independent analysis to the state July 16. The state-commissioned report evaluates Enbridge’s liability for a worst-case-scenario pipeline spill including the impact such an event would have on Michigan’s economy and environment.
Representatives of the Michigan Agency for Energy, Departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources, and the Michigan Tech analysis team are scheduled to attend the session. Dr. Meadows and other members of the team will give a presentation on the report’s findings and will be available for questions. Members of the public are urged to focus their questions or comments on the findings in the Independent Risk Analysis.
Following the session, Dr. Meadows’ presentation will be posted to the Michigan Petroleum Pipelines website.
People who have mobility, visual, hearing, or other disabilities should contact Holly Simons at 517-284-5495 in advance to request assistance. The feedback session is open to the public under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act.
The public can also post comments about the report to the Michigan Petroleum Pipelines website until Aug. 19. A final independent report is scheduled to be submitted to the state by Sept. 15.
The draft Independent Risk Analysis is part of several actions Gov. Rick Snyder has taken aimed at protecting the Great Lakes and other state waterways from a potential Line 5 spill. The governor is seeking a road map for replacement of the line with a safer alternative that maintains the important energy and communications infrastructure link between the state’s peninsulas.
The Independent Risk Analysis, other reports, and public input will help to inform a decision by the state on the final disposition of Line 5. That decision is expected by this fall.
For more information about Line 5 and petroleum pipelines in Michigan go to mipetroleumpipelines.com.
