Enbridge Energy will replace a section of a controversial pipeline that runs beneath the Saint Clair River with a tunnel. It will also examine similar treatment for a section of Line Five that runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac.
The deal also calls for Enbridge to stop pumping oil and gas beneath the Straits of Mackinac when weather conditions would make it difficult to respond to a spill.
Relations between the company and the state have grown tense in recent months.
Valerie Brater directs the Michigan Agency for Energy. She is one of the state officials who’s blasted Enbridge for failing to share details on potential safety issues with Line Five.
“Business as usual is no longer acceptable.”
She says these actions are separate from deliberations on the future of Line Five.
“Line Five clearly can’t last forever. This process will help us determine what should be next for Line Five and the straits and across the span of the state, and take actions immediately to improve safety while determining how we move forward.”
Guy Jarvis is with Enbridge. He says the company will do a better job of communicating.
“The engagement element, the transparency, the communication with the state and then with the public is foundational to re-establishing our trust. We know that trust is not going to be earned in one day.”
Enbridge and the state are still negotiating a permanent agreement on the future of Line Five. The deadline for wrapping that up is August 15th of next year. State officials say shutting down the line remains an option.