GasBuddy News Article

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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:10,776 Points:631,400 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:10,776 Points:631,400 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:10,776 Points:631,400 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:2,885 Points:639,475 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 Sophomore Author Iowa Posts:181 Points:156,020 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:5,132 Points:1,084,655 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:2,163 Points:700,575 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:4,738 Points:1,000,920 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:3,707 Points:767,265 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:18,317 Points:1,368,110 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 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:959 Points:674,590 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:3,349 Points:669,745 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:2,741 Points:1,223,250 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:3,288 Points:590,170 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:2,111 Points:734,470 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:2,387 Points:559,830 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:11,387 Points:2,143,965 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:5,190 Points:1,766,270 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:47:17 AM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse Sounds like a bunch of Republican rhetoric.....
marcGasMan Veteran Author Ottawa Posts:489 Points:104,875 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:4,004 Points:668,620 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:7,401 Points:1,526,065 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:4,866 Points:1,065,470 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:4,237 Points:829,495 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:2,666 Points:916,975 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:301 Points:57,455 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:2,747 Points:546,490 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:1,643 Points:341,590 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:6,216 Points:764,130 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:4,915 Points:1,081,035 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 Veteran Author Virginia Beach Posts:325 Points:49,220 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:34:29 AM Ignore heardva Report Abuse i see
clement007 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,131 Points:878,350 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:33:50 AM Ignore clement007 Report Abuse ???????
RichardoB Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:2,971 Points:1,067,185 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 All-Star Author Montreal Posts:556 Points:100,925 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:32:38 AM Ignore JoJoQc Report Abuse Yea, sure is a good point Petrock
satrn38mpg Veteran Author Raleigh Posts:423 Points:130,765 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:3,519 Points:764,140 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:3,625 Points:714,280 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:9,123 Points:1,436,715 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:1,459 Points:577,600 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:1,085 Points:212,375 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:2,942 Points:502,435 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:18:57 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse Good point Petrock
rjd1608 Veteran Author Toledo Posts:426 Points:954,695 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 4:13:18 AM Ignore rjd1608 Report Abuse wanna bet
LeeFree Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:4,395 Points:1,294,650 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:7,622 Points:1,409,660 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:3,994 Points:1,152,460 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:8,202 Points:1,645,970 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:6,871 Points:1,277,495 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:4,418 Points:1,603,505 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:1,657 Points:760,670 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:7,716 Points:623,215 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:9,900 Points:1,963,645 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:50:42 AM Ignore ILVET Report Abuse What a mess