Enbridge
Energy says a pressure test on Line 5 shows it does not pose a threat to the Great Lakes.
Enbridge says a test over the weekend of the line that runs under the west bay of the Straits of Mackinac showed no signs of leaks or breaks. Enbridge ran a successful test of the east line earlier this month.
John Gauderman is with Enbridge.
“Our job continues to be ensuring the safety and reliability of Line 5 through the straits, as well as our entire system in every community through which it traverses.”
He says a test over the weekend of the line that runs under the west bay of the Straits of Mackinac showed no signs of leaks or breaks.
“We are pleased with the validating results of this very significant test of Line 5. This test is one more in an ongoing inspection, maintenance, and modernizing regimen for our system.”
But Sean McBrearty is with Clean Water Action. He says the test isn’t a thorough measure of every stress point on the pipe.
“That’s roughly the equivalent of me going out to my car with an old, bald, cracked tire, being able to inflate the pressure to its original intended pressure, and then saying it’s fine to drive on because of that.”
A state board is waiting on two Line 5 studies to be released before the end of the month. One assesses the safety of line. The other is on potential alternatives that would pose less of a threat to the Great Lakes.
