A series of bills introduced in the U.S. Senate this week (5/24) would give the Department of Transportation the authority to shut down the line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.
The bills, introduced by senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, create stringent guidelines around pipeline safety - particularly in the Great Lakes.
The bills would designate pipelines in the Great Lakes as ‘offshore’, making companies liable for the entirety of cleanup.
Senator Peters said companies that couldn’t afford a cleanup would have their pipelines shut down.
“This bill requires an unlimited cap on cleanup. It also requires the company to prove they actually have the financial resources to clean up a disaster should it happen.”
Senator Peters said the bills also give the Department of Transportation more authority over the Enbridge pipeline.
“Included is that is it gives the authority to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to shut down a pipeline that isn’t meeting their performance criteria, if they are in violation of some of the standards, or if they’re simply not capable of cleaning up a spill.”
Particularly during the winter months Senator Peters said the Line 5 could see a shutdown because the ice cover makes cleanup expensive and nearly impossible.
“This would give the Secretary of Transportation the authority to shut down the pipeline at least during those times when a cleanup would be impossible or when there is thick ice cover.”
Additionally the bills would require the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Administration to publicly post all of its data on the safety of pipelines.