Enbridge Ordered to Halt Pipeline Work After Wisconsin Gas Spill
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has requested that Enbridge halt all work on its Line 5 pipeline re-routing project in response to a recent liquified natural gas spill. The spill, which occurred near Saxon, Wisconsin, prompted a local evacuation and released approximately 31,000 barrels of primarily propane and butane into the atmosphere.
The DNR expressed concern over the spill and cited 'noncompliance events' in its letter to Enbridge. It requested that Enbridge provide written responses to several questions, including the worst-case volume of vapor release, Enbridge's timeline for implementing measures to control the release, and air monitoring data.
Enbridge released a statement explaining that a parked subcontractor truck had rolled into an open evacuation area and struck the pipeline, releasing natural gas liquids. The company stated that its crews used trailer-mounted flare stacks to safely burn excess hydrocarbon vapors from the isolated section of Line 5.