KALAMAZOO (WKZO) - The Oil spill has become a magnet for politicians. Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder is calling on the Attorney General to conduct an investigation after he visited the area impacted by the oil spill yesterday. Democrat Virg Bernero says it’s another argument for a greener society. He plans to visit the disaster area today.
Battle Creek Congressman Mark Schauer at first blasted Enbridge Energy for planning to patch and reopen their 50 year old leaky pipeline in just a few days. Now Schauer is applauding a decision by the Federal agency that regulates pipelines to issue a Corrective Action Order. It prevents Enbridge from putting the pipeline back into service it’s been properly repaired, inspected and the section of the pipe that failed turned over to them.
Enbridge built a road to the site of the spill yesterday and began repairs. When it does go back into service, it will be required to operate at 20% less pressure, as a precaution.
Even though it’s not in Cong. Fred Upton’s district, it may be headed that way. He is also the ranking republican on the transportation subcommittee that oversees Oil pipeline operations, regulations and inspections, and so he has gotten involved.
Upton says as fast as the response has been, more needs to be done and more quickly. He says they've taken out the section of pipe that was involved in the spill for investigation.
