Independent analysis of Enbridge’s Line 5 to be conducted by Michigan Tech

A new contract has been reached between Michigan Technological University and the State of Michigan that will see a team of public and private university staff led by Dr. Guy Meadows conduct a risk analysis of Enbridge’s Line 5.

The controversial pipeline, which runs through the Straits of Mackinac, will be assessed on a series of questions revolving around a worst-case scenario, whereby oil or other products break free of the system. Under that scenario, Meadows’ team will ask how long it would take to contain and clean up, the short and long-term public health and safety impacts, as well as the ecological impacts. The risk analysis would also look at potential measures available to restore the affected natural resources and negate those ecological impacts, and estimate the amount of natural resource damage, governmental cost and other economic damages that would result from such a release.

“It is vitally important that we bring sound science to bear on the question of the impacts of a potential oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac,” Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh said. “This analysis will help us determine the best path forward as we strive to protect our world-class natural resources in this environmentally sensitive part of the Great Lakes.”

As a result of his participation in the study, Meadows has resigned his position on the Pipeline Safety Advisory Board. In addition to Meadows, who is director of Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center, his team will consist of experts from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Wayne State University, Oakland University, Grand Valley State University, North Dakota State University, and Loyola University.