Photo from Battle Creek Enquirer
WASHINGTON (Detroit Free Press) - Federal regulators have proposed a record $3.7-million civil penalty against Enbridge Energy for a crude oil spill into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River two years ago.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - PHMSA - also recommended two dozen enforcement actions against Enbridge for the July 25, 2010, spill near Marshall, not far from Battle Creek.
In a release today, PHMSA said its investigation uncovered multiple violations of its regulations, including those related to integrity management, operator procedures and more. The agency issued a notice and its proposed civil penalty, which the company can try to fight.
The company estimated that some 800,000 gallons of oil was spilled into Talmadge Creek when Line 6B ruptured, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that more than 1.1-million gallons of oil had been collected from the area.
Enbridge has 30 days to respond to PHMSA's proposed penalty.
By Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press Washington Bureau