Straits of Mackinac Line 5 Pipeline Reports Now Online

Inspection reports and other Enbridge Energy documents relating to the aging Line 5 pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac are now available online in an easily accessed format.

Documents include reports of in-line pipe inspections, external pipeline inspections with remotely operated vehicles, pipeline integrity and replacement, pipeline operating pressure, and effects of mussels attached to the Straits pipelines.

The records had previously been available online to state officials only in a read-only format. Now, they’re publicly available.

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The new Petroleum Pipelines section of the attorney general’s website links to the documents provided by Enbridge, as well as all other documents related to the Line 5 pipelines sorted and organized by Schuette’s office into an easy to use format.

“The Great Lakes are an integral resource and we must do everything we can to protect them,” Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who asked Enbridge Energy to provide more transparency in an April 11 letter, said in a statement.

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“These documents will provide useful information to the state and the public about the history, operation and the condition of the Straits Pipelines to help guide decisions about their future,” he said.

Among the information included in the document is that needed to implement the independent risk and alternatives analysis studies recommended by the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force, Schuette said.

“The more complete and accessible documents provided by Enbridge will help that process move forward and ensure all decisions made will have protecting the Great Lakes at the forefront,” he said.