Following a meeting
with the state’s pipeline task force, executives from the Canadian company
announced that while the pipeline is regularly inspected, and remains in great
condition, they are ensuring their ability to properly respond should the
62-year old pipeline fail. The company is very dedicated to help in the
analysis for potential replacements, according to senior vice president for
operations, Cynthia Hansen.
The state’s pipeline
task force has said that due to the age of the pipeline, it is responsible to
look into viable options for replacing the line. Many environmental groups have
begun to press for the replacement of the pipeline, due to the damaging effects
that a failure could have on the Great Lakes. Currently there are no plans from
Enbridge to replace the line; however, they stated that their primary priority
is ensuring the safety of the pipeline, and according to Bradley Shamla, vice
president for U.S. operations, if replacement was necessary it would happen.
According to Ms.
Hansen, pipelines are built with an average economic lifespan of 40 to 50
years; however, the pipelines built in the fashion of the Mackinac Straits
pipeline regularly last beyond that lifespan. Both Mr. Shamla and Ms. Hansen
stated that they believed all issues raised concerning the pipeline have been
addressed and that the firm plans to make more information available to the
general public soon.