Pipeline leak pollutes major Michigan river

Pipeline leak pollutes major Michigan river

www.msnbc.msn.com

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Crews were working Tuesday to contain and clean up more than 800,000 gallons of oil in southern Michigan that could be one of the largest oil spills in Midwest history, officials say.

Authorities in Battle Creek and Emmett Township were warning residents about the strong odor from the oil, which leaked Monday from a 30-inch pipeline that carries about 8 million gallons of oil per day from Griffith, Ind., to Sarnia, Ontario.

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[edit on 7/27/2010 by semperfortis]

What is going on with all the oil spills lately?

This is the second oil spill here in my county in the last two months. Does anyone know if there is a map that shows active oils spills because I would like to see one. It seems like there is not enough over sight to make sure these facilities are running safe and have proper care.

www.msnbc.msn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Mod Edit: Review This Link: Instructions for the Breaking News Forums: Copy The Exact Headline

[edit on 7/27/2010 by semperfortis]

reply to post by Maximus0111


I can't believe this. We just went there on a camping trip. While there, I thought about the oil spill in the gulf and thought at least we have fresh water here in Michigan and in the Great Lakes. It seems as though our water supplies are being sabotaged.

They can xray your kids genitles at the air port but they can't check a pipe?

The "terrorists" must be laughing their butts of...I can see it all now..
Sit on your butts in your living rooms comrades and destroy America by buying oil and gas shares. Watch the TV as they do themselves in!



[edit on 27-7-2010 by Danbones]

[edit on 27-7-2010 by Danbones]

this is almost beyond imagination.....

I am really starting to think we might be in for a ride folks....Look at all the threads of various nature and the general tone...Now two fresh oil spills/puddles...makes you wonder...if you have any instictive traights left...

Hate to be the Doom and Gloomer,but thats exactly what comes to mind. The earths crust is shifting.How else is there so so many oil spills at the same time ALL OVER THE WORLD, Gulf,China,Midwest America, ect....More quake activity and record heat. The sun seems to be angry or waking up.It is making the earths core temp increase as our surface temp increases.Maybe Im right,Hope Im wrong. Great Find

BP recently shut down the trans Alaska pipe line- they had a big spill.
because...
they don't do the maintenance required to keep the pipelines functional.

this is there excuse...but think...
there is 80 some odd kilometers end to end of tankers sitting around with oil bought below 50 bucks a barrel...just waiting for a high enough price before they un load them at the dock.

oiltankers.blogspot.com...


[edit on 27-7-2010 by Danbones]

[edit on 27-7-2010 by Danbones]

reply to post by Maximus0111


Whats more upsetting is the oil is in the Kalamazoo River and headed for Lake Michigan.

Originally posted by Boomer1941
reply to post by Maximus0111

 

Whats more upsetting is the oil is in the Kalamazoo River and headed for Lake Michigan.

Didn't BP report that since there's so much water in the Ocean, that it doesn't matter? Plus, all that natural bacteria (core-effs-it) just 'breaks that oil down', naturally, of course. Since it's Summertime in Michigan, all the oil will just naturally 'break down' due to the 'global warming' that occurs in the Summer.

Just wondering...have they taken advantage of this crisis to unload more core-effs-it? Or have they exhausted their stock of toxic chemical liability? It was made in Naperville, one of America's model city's, in Illinois. Closer to Michigan than Louisiana. Think of the money they'll save transporting it locally!

Yeah-starting to think there's a water game going on. Then, when everyone gets hit from nanoterror devices, we'll all suspect the water.

[edit on 27-7-2010 by davidmann]

[edit on 27-7-2010 by davidmann]

The US is the sword that has pierced the skin of the Earth... and now it bleeds blackness into our once tranquil land.

If there ever was blasphemy then this would be of the highest caliber, and for all of our crimes committed against the Earth we will ALL pay dearly for our arrogance.

This is what capitalism has inevitably brought us; it has turned everyone on each other and in order to be at the top, some people ignored the pain we could inflict on nature just for the sake of profit.

This company that calls itself the "Partnership" is lying just like all the others. They would have us believe the spill happened Monday morning, yet a resident said he smelled oil on Sunday night. They don't even know how much oil has leaked out of their pipeline, nor do they know how much has already gotten into the river. The rivers are almost at flood stage due to the heavy rains we've had over the weekend, and they are moving fast.

Wildlife is already being effected, birds covered in oil, fish washing up dead, there's even a report of a dead beaver. Go on Utube and watch some of the videos, it's worse than they want us to know. If that crude oil reaches Lake Michigan all the Great Lakes can be contaminated. This is not getting the coverage it should. I can't believe this thread isn't getting the attention it should


I hope they don't try to use those damn dispersants on this spill.

Didn't they have any safety mechanisms in place that would sound some kind of alarm when the pressure went down in that pipeline and shut it off automatically ? I know that's too much for us to expect

I know the idea that there might be "real terrorists" out there rather than just false flag events is not a popular one on ATS, but what if all these various oil-related troubles are part of some kind of long-term, low-tech terrorist effort? As long as we are entertaining ideas about the earth's crust shifting and so on, I think the possibility that this is part of some kind of terrorist tactic should at least be brought up.

What if there is a program in place to crack a pipe here, burst a line there...over time, the damage adds up, but it could be done slowly, incrementally, so as to cause real, serious economic and environmental damage without arousing suspicion.

The most dubious point about this idea is that no group of actual terrorists has stepped up and claimed responsibility. But that doesn't necessarily rule it out -- after all, if somebody claimed responsibility too early, the oil companies might step up security and so forth.

I don't think it can be denied that there are many different groups that would love to cripple America, Europe, and/or China for all sorts of different reasons at this point. The motive exists. So does the opportunity.

I'm not claiming this is actually happening -- Just tossing this out there for general consideration as a possibility...




[edit on 7/28/10 by silent thunder]

OK NOW I am Pissed and FReaked! This is outrageous!

The first though was of terrorism, then again I keep thinking, NO this is the way that they usher in some other form of energy source.

This is NOT good, I JUST found out after spending the day picking and canning and doing what I can for my family as I NO optimism when it comes to relying upon anyone but myself for the challenges we ALL face very soon, creating my own destiny, my own future scenario.

Man, I need to research this more! WOW

I am so upset over this , I rented a good movie and cant even focus to sit with the family and enjoy. I am instead staying busy and them jumping on here to discuss with anyone interested. I feel like a thread killer extrodinare!

This is very big for MANY of our best forum members and contributors. All I can say is that I hope the disaster can be caught and under control before it does become like the Gulf Oil disaster.

It just sickens me.

I just heard on canadian radio that enbridge had been undercharging customers and that they were going to lay the real bills on them now.
but that they were going to be lenient about repayment....

Enbridge Enron
the terrorists IMHO are the gas companies
BP now has the fields in Iraq, Alaska, the gulf...
They want Iran, the shaw was installed on their behalf years ago...
The CIA tried to coup Chavez, was that BP too?
He nationalized the oil fields like Iran did, like Saddam did...
and look at the hawks in the US and the UK
do they like the triple and quadruple gas prices
and the collapsed currencies?

[edit on 28-7-2010 by Danbones]

I was looking at what the potential could be if this goes worse than it is, can we find some sites where we can see where the underground pipes lead in case of a breech?
Here is one site I found but it does not tell me anything....

Not being too familiar with the area perhaps someone else can jump in here.


www.eia.doe.gov...

reply to post by Danbones


That was what I discovered in my searches while looking for info on BP. Not only could this become another great enviromental catastrophy, it could also pave the way for some new form of energy, one that will only come with a great price to Canada, America and even Mexico.

Something evil is in the air and it is killing our wildlife and sickening everyone they want rid of.

I am afraid they would justas soon do business with China and the UAE, and to hell with us.

Please keep us informed of all you hear, now I will check out your link.

Here we go
www.transcanada.com...
contains Maps

the keystone XL pipeline that is about to be approved.
tarsands to texas
I wouldn't be suprised if someone wanted this to be quashed environmentally and or financially...
thats the scuttlebutt



Here is a bunch of media outlets and videos...news on the Kalamazoo spill
www.bing.com... +spill&docid=198365413518&FORM=HUFPST#


www.huffingtonpost.com...

[edit on 28-7-2010 by Danbones]

Ok so here is what Enbridge an affiliate of BP in the Gulf has to say about the spill:

July 28 Afternoon Update

We want to thank the community for their offers of assistance. We understand that this is your community and that you want to help us contain and clean up the area as quickly as possible. If you do want to offer your assistance, please contact the toll-free public information hotline at (800) 306-6837 or use the contact form on this site. It may take us some time to respond to you as we continue our planning and containment efforts, but we will call if we need your assistance.

They will call if they need your assistance...

Our top priority continues to be the safety and health of everyone in the area. We are asking area residents to avoid contact with the oil. If they have concerns about their water quality, notice a smell, want to report affected wildlife or have any questions about the oil spill, they should contact the public information hotline at (800) 306-6837.

I called the number and they said that if you live within 200 feet of the river you are to call the health dept. for samples of your water and in the meantime, use caution. The testing will be free.

Also she said that the news conference slated for today had been cancelled but another will go on schedule tomorrow with all pertinet and up to date information.

At this time they do have experts that have worked in the BP disaster on the Gulf called in and they are working to contain this spill. They stated that there are no dispersants being used at this time and they are relying soley on booms and vaccume trucks to contain the spill.

They also said that this spill has nothing to do with BP. They are in no way affiliated with this incedence...

The focus of our work continues to be the containment of the spill. Enbridge is committed to containing the oil spilled as quickly as possible so area residents can return to their normal routines. Estimates indicate that as of 9 p.m. EDT, the last indication of oil, in the form of pockets of sheen on the water, was seen on the Kalamazoo River approximately 7 miles from the opening to Morrow Lake. Placement of a boom at the opening of Morrow Lake started last night and will continue this morning. We have 10 boom sites set up at this time with an additional 10 being put in place shortly. We are working as quickly as we can to contain and remove the oil and minimize the impact to the surrounding communities and the environment.

To ensure the safety of our employees, contractors and all other site workers, they will not be working outdoors if severe weather occurs as expected later today. We will be monitoring the situation closely.

This reminds me of the Gulf spill in that the possible hazzards of an oil spill this large with a pipeline which expells toxic materials at around 19,000+ barrels perday, and when they warn that employees will not work in rainy conditions, I urge you to also use precautions!

22,000 feet of boom arrived yesterday to be deployed today, bringing to a total of 45,000 feet deployed or available. We are expecting our workforce to double today with more people and equipment arriving. Yesterday we had more than 150 people helping to provide assistance.

Our public information hotline is open 24-hours a day to respond to inquiries. If you do have any questions or concerns about affected areas, call (800) 306-6837.

The operator on the phone told me that at least ten seperate booms have been called in so far, that they are watching for seepage. Does this indicate that if the well is sealed that it will create fractures along the long corridor of pipelines?

The cause of the spill is not known. Our immediate priority is the safety of everyone in the area and the cleanup of the spill. We are working with the regulators and other officials to contain the leak, determine the cause and return the area to its original state.

It has been mentioned in this thread and most assuredly on many individuals minds, is this or could this be terrorist related?

Individuals should not attempt to approach, rescue, or contain any animals exposed to the oil. Attempts to capture animals may cause injury to both the animal and the rescuer. Enbridge is working with Focus Wildlife, the Department of Natural Resources and the Fish & Wildlife Service in the area. Volunteers interested in assisting can call the public information hotline at (800) 306-6837. Volunteers will need to attend an eight-hour training session.

They have since set up a animal rescue station, and if people are interested in helping they will first half to attend the 8 hour session provided through Fish and wildlife. At this point they have all the volunteers needed to go out on search and rescue but if an individual has credentials which they think would be helpful, they can call the numbers listed and apply to take the 8 hour course.

Residents who are concerned about the smell, or who have questions about the oil spill, should call the public information hotline at (800) 306-6837. If the smell bothers you, stay indoors, close the doors and windows.

Again this number will refer to to the Enbridge website for any updates. (None)

The smell...
And what they are monitoring for at present:

Hydrogen sulfide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Hydrogen sulfide

IUPAC name[hide]Hydrogen sulfide, sulfane
Other names[hide]Sulfuretted (or sulfureted) hydrogen; sulfurated hydrogen; sulfane; sulfur hydride; dihydrogen sulfide; dihydrogen monosulfide; hydrosulfuric acid; sewer gas; stink damp; rotten egg gas
Identifiers

Hydrogen sulfide (or hydrogen sulphide) is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. It is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. It often results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, such as in swamps and sewers (anaerobic digestion). It also occurs in volcanic gases, natural gas, and some well waters. The human body produces small amounts of H2S and uses it as a signaling molecule.

en.wikipedia.org...

Chemical Profile for BENZENE (CAS Number: 71-43-2)
Human Health Hazards
Health Hazard Reference(s)
Recognized: Carcinogen P65
Developmental Toxicant P65
Reproductive Toxicant P65
Suspected: Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicant EPA-HEN HAZMAP LADO MALA OEHHA-CREL RTECS STAC
Endocrine Toxicant RTECS
Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant RTECS
Immunotoxicant ATSDR IPCS
Neurotoxicant ATSDR DAN EPA-HEN HAZMAP OEHHA-CREL RTECS
Respiratory Toxicant EPA-HEN RTECS
Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant EPA-HEN RTECS

Hazard Rankings
More hazardous than most chemicals in 6 out of 14 ranking systems.
Ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to ecosystems and human health.

www.scorecard.org...

We continue to monitor air quality from 117 locations along the river and in the communities along the river. Overnight testing from all locations found there were no benzene detections and no H2S detections. We will notify residents if any indications of detection are found. Air quality will continue to be monitored over the next period of time until it is determined that there is no risk to the public.

Water sampling has been conducted upstream from the incident on the Kalamazoo, downstream and in Lake Morrow. Water samples are being turned around in a matter of hours in town.

This response website will be continually updated with the latest information.

WE WILL BE WATCHING AND PRAYING

Edit for this link:
response.enbridgeus.com...



[edit on 28-7-2010 by antar]

Notice that all the numbers given take you to the very same switchboard I encountered. They in turn refer you to the Website...