Enbridge has history of pipeline problems, 30 enforcement actions since 2002AP: A Canadian company whose pipeline leaked [3.8 million litres] of oil into a Michigan river boasts on its website of being 'an industry leader in pipeline safety and integrity.' A decade's worth of leaks, an explosion and regulatory violations throughout the Great Lakes region and elsewhere in the U.S. suggest otherwise.
Enbridge Inc. or its affiliates have been cited for 30 enforcement actions since 2002 by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration -- the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulatory arm...
An Enbridge affiliate, Houston-based Enbridge Energy Co., spilled almost 72,000 litres of crude oil onto Wisconsin's Nemadji River in 2003. Another 715,000 litres of oil spilled at the company's terminal three kilometres from Lake Superior... In 2007, two spills released about 760,000 litres of crude in northern Wisconsin as Enbridge was expanding a 500-kilometre pipeline. The company also was accused of violating Wisconsin permits designed to protect water quality during work in and around wetlands, rivers and streams.
Bruce Bullock, director of Maguire Energy Institute at Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business, said... 'They don't have a reputation of being particularly a star player in terms of their profile or anything like that, but they certainly have a good reputation in terms of delivering for their shareholders.'...
Andy Buchsbaum, director of the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes office, said Enbridge has a history of spills - including two major leaks in the past year. He said those leaks, coupled with the fatal blast in Minnesota that killed two workers, are problematic. 'This is a company whose safety record is very definitely suspect and cause for concern.'
