Huge oil spill could reach Lake Michigan this weekend

More than 850,000 gallons of oil are floating down the Kalamazoo River toward Lake Michigan right now.

Oil from the spill could reach Lake Michigan as early as Sunday, although numerous variables could affect the flow rate, reports the Detroit Free Press.

The newspaper also says that fumes from the spill are creeping over Battle Creek, Michigan.

Some time yesterday morning, a 30-inch Enbridge Energy Partners pipe carrying oil from Griffith, Indiana, to Sarnia, Ontario ruptured on Tallmadge Creek, spilling oil into the creek, which flows into the Kalamazoo River.

The spill originated near the border of Marshall and Fredonia townships.

Houston-based Enbridge Energy Partners had a crew of 50 on site working with booms, oil skimmers and vacuum trucks through the night Monday to try to contain the spill.

This morning, another 100 joined the effort with more equipment and volunteers marshalled in Battle Creek to begin cleaning up wildlife affected by the spill.

"The Kalamazoo River oil spill is a tragedy for Calhoun County and communities across Southwest Michigan," said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow in a written statement.

"I have spoken with Environmental Protection Agency officials, and I made it clear that cleaning this spill up is our top priority," Stabenow said. "I will continue to be engaged in this process to make sure that the company fulfills its responsibilities and that the federal government provides whatever support is necessary for the affected communities."

Enbridge Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Calgary-based Enbridge Inc., released the following statement:

************************ HOUSTON, TEXAS - (July 27) - Enbridge Energy Partners, (the "partnership") today provided an update on the progress being made in the clean-up efforts undertaken in response to the leak that occurred on Line 6B near Marshall, Michigan the morning of July 26.

Community health and safety, and environmental mitigation remain top priorities.

"Crews worked through the night on containment, including the use of booms, oil skimmers and vacuum trucks. Additional crews and equipment will be onsite early Tuesday to assist with oil containment. We had approximately 50 people working through the night and we expect over 100 workers on-site during the day," said Stephen J. Wuori, executive vice president, liquids pipelines, Enbridge Inc.

Emergency response crews are stationed along Tallmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River to contain the oil.

Crews are reclaiming the oil using a variety of different methods, including oil collection skimmers, containment and absorbent booms.

A temporary dike and flume arrangement has been secured near the point of origin of the leak stopping transport into the tributary creek.

The cleanup is being conducted in compliance with all government regulations and Enbridge's own stringent standards for safety and the environment, and is being coordinated under the direction of a unified command structure at the site.

Plans for remediation and reclamation of the site will be developed with the input of affected stakeholders and environmental regulators, the state and federal authorities.

"We are currently focused on bringing all available resources to bear in our efforts to safely contain the leaked oil on the Kalamazoo River. We have brought in multiple crews of trained Enbridge personnel, and continue to draw on our contractors to further augment our resources. We are members of emergency response organizations, and will continue to work with experts from those organizations to address the current situation and longer-term clean up and remediation efforts," said Mr. Wuori.

Enbridge is monitoring water quality at many points along Tallmadge Creek and Kalamazoo River and is taking measures to protect fish and wildlife from coming into contact with the spilled oil.

Fish and wildlife specialists are on site to help rehabilitate affected animals.

"We'd like to acknowledge the impact this has had on the people of Marshall and the surrounding community," continued Mr. Wuori. "We extend our apologies to the people who have been affected by this. Enbridge understands that the leak has disrupted people's lives and had a major impact on the people in this community, on the environment and on wildlife. We ask you for your patience and your input as we work to clean up this leak."

The full community and environmental impacts are still being assessed.

Enbridge will continue to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to complete the environmental cleanup of the site, and is working with state and local emergency response agencies to address local impacts and concerns.

"Enbridge expresses its sincere appreciation to the community of Marshall and surrounding areas emergency responders for their professional, diligent and supportive actions," said Mr. Wuori.

At this point in time, the partnership cannot provide an estimated time for restart of the Line 6B pipeline. Enbridge appreciates the cooperation of shippers on the Enbridge system in realigning deliveries.

Enbridge will work closely with all connecting carriers and refiners to minimize any service impact resulting from the leak.

The cause of the leak remains under active investigation with complete results not expected for several weeks.

The section of pipeline involved will be removed and transported to a third party facility for examination and testing.

Enbridge continues to work closely with federal and state agencies in the investigation, including the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), along with state and local public safety officials.

Line 6B is a 30-inch, 190,000 bpd line transporting light synthetics, heavy and medium crude oil from Griffith, Indiana to Sarnia, Ontario.

It is part of the partnership's Lakehead system.

About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in the United States, including the Enbridge North Dakota System.

Its principal crude oil system is the largest transporter of growing oil production from Western Canada.

The system's deliveries to refining centres and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 12 percent of total U.S. oil imports; while deliveries to Ontario, Canada satisfy approximately 60 percent of refinery demand in that region.

EEP's natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. mid-continent and Gulf Coast area, deliver approximately two billion cubic feet of natural gas daily.

Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C manages the business and affairs of EEP and its sole asset is an approximate 14 percent interest in EEP.

Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, is the general partner and holds an approximate 27 percent interest in EEP.

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