OAKLAND, Wis. (AP) – About 70,000 gallons (264,978 liters) of oil from a pipeline spilled on the ground in Wisconsin, officials said.
The problem was discovered Nov. 11 in Jefferson County, 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) west of Milwaukee, by an Enbridge Energy technician, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, citing the state’s accident report.
Mr. Enbridge says that the spill on Line 6 of the company was caused by the disconnection of the pipeline at the Enbridge Cambridge Station. It was estimated at 1,650 barrels, which is equal to 70,000 liters.
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“Investigation and remediation began as soon as it was found and continues. The removal of the affected soil is ongoing,” spokeswoman Juli Kellner said Saturday, adding that 60% of the waste was removed by digging.
Kellner said the spill was only reported to regulators, although a statement from the Union of Pipeline Protection said the line may have been leaking for “an extended period of time.”
“We’re working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on cleanup and restoration,” Kellner said.
Line 6 is a 465-mile (748.3-kilometer) pipeline that carries crude oil from Superior, Wisconsin, to a port near Griffith, Indiana, according to the company’s map.
Critics noted that the deadline came in the same week that Wisconsin judges approved the first permit for Enbridge’s plan to move the Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Opponents said it will continue to threaten the region’s environment and continue the use of fuel.