Franken’s Investigation Request Leads To Enbridge’s Pipeline Restart Denial
Franken: Enbridge Needs To Be Held Accountable For The Safety Of Minnesotans
Today, after calling on the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to conduct a full investigation of Enbridge Energy Partners Ltd.'s recent burst pipeline in Michigan, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) learned that PHMSA has denied Enbridge's request to restart the pipeline.
"I find it disturbing that Enbridge couldn't put together a plan to safely restart their pipeline and I'm glad they won't be operating until they do," said Sen. Franken. "Enbridge's continued neglect of the safety of its employees and the environment is inexcusable. I will do everything I can to ensure Minnesota doesn't experience another tragedy because a company like Enbridge wasn't held accountable."
There are six Enbridge pipelines that run through northern Minnesota, pumping 1.87 million barrels of oil per day. In 2007, an explosion on an Enbridge pipeline near Clearbrook, Minnesota killed two workers and caused serious damage to sensitive wetlands.
PHMSA denied Enbridge Energy Partners' request to restart their pipeline because they felt that its plan did not demonstrate that it could be done safely. In addition, PHMSA could not determine that there were no other immediate threats on the line.
Sen. Franken's letter to PHMSA can be read here.
PHMSA's letter to Enbridge Energy Partner's President, Terry McGill in response to its request for restart approval can be read here.
