"Senators Push Feds To Raise Liability Stakes On Mackinac Pipeline"

"ST. IGNACE, MI — Michigan's two Democratic senators want the Department of Transportation to change the way it regulates oil pipelines crossing underneath the Great Lakes in order to raise the liability stakes should they break and cause a spill.

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow sent DOT head Anthony Foxx a letter on May 17 urging him to reclassify underwater pipeline segments like the Enbridge Line 5 under the Mackinac straits as separate "offshore" facilities.

Right now, Peters said Line 5 is regulated as "onshore" facility, which means the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) holds it to less stringent regulatory standard and caps the insurance liability at $634 million."

Garret Ellison reports for the Grand Rapids Press May 22, 2016.