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Past problems for company at heart of oil spill

By TIM MARTIN and DAVID RUNK, Associated Press Writers -- A Canadian company whose pipeline leaked hundreds of thousands 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.

In a warning letter sent Jan. 21, the agency told the company it may have violated safety codes by improperly monitoring corrosion in the pipeline responsible for the massive spill Monday in Talmadge Creek, a waterway in Calhoun County's Marshall Township that f

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Submitted Jul 30, 2010 By: granitestater

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,259 Points:1,141,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:39:32 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse mustangsrus: sadly, I think you hit the nail on the head. It's all about greed nowadays. Forget humans. We saw how little BP or Massey Energy valued the lives of those lost in the process.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,259 Points:1,141,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:32:51 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse sadly many government agencies exist, but they either have no teeth or their teeth have been cut because of lobbying from industry. Thus, we'll see lots more spills all over.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,259 Points:1,141,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:28:12 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Jarod: while I'm not going on the political issue, I do take some side with cheapertvs on one issue: Michigan uses the water for DRINKING. The Gulf water is SALT, Lake Michigan is freshwater and many people depend on that freshwater for their drinking water. So yes, it is a tragedy of historic proportions, even if it's phrased poorly as an issue of vacation homes over the regular population's need for freshwater.
Jarod13 Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,470 Points:1,048,855 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:15:59 AM Ignore Jarod13 Report Abuse cheapertvs -- you must be a left wing, liberal, Obama-loving Democrat if you believe that the Republicans would attempt to gain any political leverage because of this catastrophe. If anyone is trying to gain political favor in light of this tragedy, it's Michigan's own governor. Here's just a sample of her rhetoric -- "Gov. Jennifer Granholm warned of a "tragedy of historic proportions" should it travel an additional 80 miles and reach Lake Michigan and the vacation communities that depend on it." If that isn't attempting to gain political hype in an election year, I don't know what is. When compared to the Gulf disaster, which is considerably more serious since it involves an enormous amount of oil when compared to the Michigan disaster, should still raise concerns amongst both lawmakers and oil companies, since any environmental disaster should be taken serious. I hope that you and many other Democrats are preparing yourselves for a "change in venue" in Washington come Jan 2011, after the Republicans defeat the Democratic incumbents in November.
MJIOWA Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,619 Points:641,345 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 6:32:55 AM Ignore MJIOWA Report Abuse SOUNDS LIKE SPMEONE IS HOOD WINKING US
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,708 Points:1,594,705 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 6:20:49 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Quick! To the spin bunkers everyone!
ENORMS Champion Author Colorado Posts:3,014 Points:1,171,335 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:22:30 AM Ignore ENORMS Report Abuse Hopefully lessons were learned from the Gulf spill!
MUSTANGSRUS Champion Author Ontario Posts:7,374 Points:1,506,940 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:14:33 AM Ignore MUSTANGSRUS Report Abuse Is there such a thing as a safe company in the oil-patch? They all seem to cut corners seeking the all might dollar. I'm sure that this is not the last time we will read about oil spills.
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:6,263 Points:1,272,520 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:13:04 AM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse Many corporate agencies involved in the exploration, production, and distribution of oil and petroleum refined products appear incapable of meaningful internal regulation. The government has also failed in monitoring and enforcement of existing external regulations. The regulatory system has been malfunctioning over many years and has now collapsed. Cooperative and corrective actions by both the private and public sectors must be implemented quickly and rationaly. Name calling and finger pointing do nothing but hinder this corrective process.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:24,640 Points:1,878,610 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:05:30 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Clean it up, fine them and send them the bill too.
fillerupyeoww Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,521 Points:1,182,945 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 5:00:31 AM Ignore fillerupyeoww Report Abuse These companys are mad that BP gets all the ink.
silverfox63 Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,804 Points:1,155,770 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:54:03 AM Ignore silverfox63 Report Abuse So much for this companies website that is filled with a bunch of lies. Now we are dealing with over 1 million gallons of oil in our rivers.
QueenMother Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,184 Points:1,703,265 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:53:40 AM Ignore QueenMother Report Abuse This comes as no surprise because people want to see what they can get away with and doing as little work as possible to get it done.
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,247 Points:1,076,875 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:50:16 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse Nothing really shocks me anymore with things like this...
ChuckGVT Champion Author Vermont Posts:4,368 Points:1,227,770 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:50:02 AM Ignore ChuckGVT Report Abuse Sick of the oil spill news on this site. Let's stick to gas prices.
Asbury09 Champion Author Iowa Posts:4,968 Points:1,069,655 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:49:52 AM Ignore Asbury09 Report Abuse sounds like a little BP in terms of the nuumber of violations
TerryLee Champion Author Ohio Posts:13,860 Points:2,633,970 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:48:06 AM Ignore TerryLee Report Abuse Dems in Control of things and been going down hill since
cheapertvs Champion Author Richmond Posts:7,845 Points:2,274,820 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:47:17 AM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse Sounds like a bunch of Republican rhetoric.....
marcGasMan Champion Author Ottawa Posts:3,031 Points:606,145 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:46:57 AM Ignore marcGasMan Report Abuse Need good and enforceable rules and regulations
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:7,205 Points:1,170,885 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:42:46 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Enbridge is working very hard to exceed BP's poor safety record. Just one more sleazy representative of Big Oil.
lpj Champion Author Macon Posts:8,583 Points:1,700,640 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:42:43 AM Ignore lpj Report Abuse money talks , people don't get to see the trees for the money !!
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,399 Points:1,566,580 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:41:23 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse Another sign that regulatory agencies aren't getting the job done.
tankneverfull Champion Author Charlotte Posts:6,364 Points:1,299,015 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:41:21 AM Ignore tankneverfull Report Abuse Oil and the pollution that comes with it!
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,183 Points:1,421,070 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:41:02 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse They would rather pay a fine than do the right thing.
rosieGA Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:483 Points:246,480 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:40:47 AM Ignore rosieGA Report Abuse Time to overhaul the regulatory agencies.
Doubleeez Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,080 Points:908,695 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:38:43 AM Ignore Doubleeez Report Abuse Just the beginning of a long line of violations of regulations. Where in heck are the enforcement crews when these things go on?
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:3,889 Points:815,070 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:38:29 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse I guess we can't believe everything we read in the headlines that companies create.
Don1222 Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,802 Points:1,089,855 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:37:10 AM Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse Move on to alternative fuels. Hydrogen fuel cells.
racerdj Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,474 Points:1,589,865 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:36:36 AM Ignore racerdj Report Abuse We will see more articles like this one in the coming weeks and months.
heardva Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,452 Points:252,690 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:34:29 AM Ignore heardva Report Abuse i see
clement007 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,801 Points:1,385,150 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:33:50 AM Ignore clement007 Report Abuse ???????
RichardoB Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:5,625 Points:1,536,285 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:33:06 AM Ignore RichardoB Report Abuse A lot of dirty laundry is coming to light in the aftermath of the BP disaster.
JoJoQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,140 Points:610,505 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:32:38 AM Ignore JoJoQc Report Abuse Yea, sure is a good point Petrock
satrn38mpg Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,862 Points:612,610 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:30:44 AM Ignore satrn38mpg Report Abuse we really need to look into how long these pipes will last and the monitoring for corrosion should be a weekly or monthly cycle >>
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:6,100 Points:1,274,030 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:28:54 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse A warning letter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF doesn't anyone know the words STOP the use of the pipeline???????????????
neptune2008 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,255 Points:1,217,610 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:24:33 AM Ignore neptune2008 Report Abuse and the sad story continues...if we did that...hmmm ??
turbosaab Champion Author Cleveland Posts:14,937 Points:1,945,015 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:23:31 AM Ignore turbosaab Report Abuse Problems such like this are driven by our thirst for plentiful, cheap fuel. Fixing all these problems will have unexpected consequences.
neemund Champion Author Seattle Posts:4,152 Points:1,083,845 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:22:34 AM Ignore neemund Report Abuse It's not like people take what anyone says publicly serious these days. Saying this company is "an industry leader in pipeline safety and integrity" is probably more accurate than Speaker Pelosi calling the current Congress "the most ethical and transparent Congress in history."
dar 1 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,602 Points:335,590 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:19:36 AM Ignore dar 1 Report Abuse The problem is the pi[elines are getting old and need to be replaced.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:5,338 Points:841,530 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:18:57 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse Good point Petrock
rjd1608 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,004 Points:1,463,980 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:13:18 AM Ignore rjd1608 Report Abuse wanna bet
LeeFree Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,824 Points:1,783,000 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:12:29 AM Ignore LeeFree Report Abuse We're now seeing the result of lax oversight that has gone on for years.
Crumbfel Champion Author Virginia Posts:10,207 Points:1,901,110 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:12:18 AM Ignore Crumbfel Report Abuse Regulate better and regulate now!
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:6,778 Points:1,655,110 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:10:43 AM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse The regime has just declared war: on capitalism. Great way to redistribute the wealth back to the 'rightful owners'.
Metroman Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,244 Points:1,748,885 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:05:22 AM Ignore Metroman Report Abuse One spill is too bad, we need to make sure there isn't any!
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,306 Points:1,761,975 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:58:39 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse 30 enforcement actions in 8 years is only 3 or 4 per year... Drilling, BP had 760 in just three years (Exxon/Mobil had but ONE in that same time frame as BP)...
Petrock Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,762 Points:2,090,920 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:58:29 AM Ignore Petrock Report Abuse We demand the gasoline, they work to make profit providing it to us. If we don't like their environmental care (and in this case it appears we shouldn't) then we need to push for more thorough (and costly) regulation to control the way they are allowed to provide us the gasoline we demand. NOTE - If these companies do not make a profit providing the gasoline to us, then you can be sure they will not bother to provide it and we will not have any!
FMREALTOR Champion Author Florida Posts:4,118 Points:1,254,135 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:54:03 AM Ignore FMREALTOR Report Abuse Enbridge, Exxon/Mobil, BP what is the difference? They all have several voilations.
jayrad1957 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:14,548 Points:1,128,315 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:52:06 AM Ignore jayrad1957 Report Abuse Sounds like BP's little brother.
ILVET Champion Author Illinois Posts:12,489 Points:2,472,095 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:50:42 AM Ignore ILVET Report Abuse What a mess