Reuters: Regulatory News: UPDATE 2-Enbridge fined $3.7 mln for 2010 US oil spill

Reuters: Regulatory News Reuters.com is your source for breaking news, business, financial and investing news, including personal finance and stocks. Reuters is the leading global provider of news, financial information and technology solutions to the world's media, financial institutions, businesses and individuals. // via fulltextrssfeed.com

UPDATE 2-Enbridge fined $3.7 mln for 2010 US oil spill Jul 3rd 2012, 02:19 Tweet Share this Email Print Related Topics Stocks » Regulatory News » Markets » Energy » Utilities » Mon Jul 2, 2012 10:19pm EDT * US agency says uncovered two dozen violations * Pipeline spilled more than 20,000 barrels of oil * Enbridge says it is reviewing the order WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. pipeline regulator on Monday slapped a $3.7 million fine, the largest penalty ever imposed, on Enbridge Inc for a July 2010 crude oil spill which contaminated stretches of the Kalamzoo River in Michigan. The Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) said its probe uncovered two dozen regulation violations related to the leak on Enbridge's Line 6B near the town of Marshall, about mid-way between Detroit and Lake Michigan. "We will hold pipeline operators accountable if they do not follow proper safety procedures to protect the environment and local communities," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. Enbridge has 30 days to respond to the order. PHMSA's order against Enbridge accuses the company of failing to adhere to regulations for maintaining pipeline integrity. The agency also said the company attempted to bring the pipeline back into service despite receiving multiple leak alarms the night it ruptured, leading to the release of more oil. Enbridge's 30-inch line ultimately spilled more than 20,000 barrels of heavy crude and contaminated 38 miles (60 km) of the Kalamazoo River. The accident shut down the pipeline for more than two months and spawned a massive clean-up that the company has estimated will cost more than $700 million. Following the Enbridge spill and other major pipeline accidents, the Transportation Department enhanced its oversight last year. The department is collecting more data on pipelines and in 2011 closed 102 enforcement cases, its highest level for a single year. Last December, Congress passed a pipeline safety bill that raised maxiumum fines and authorized an increase in the number of pipeline inspectors. Enbridge said it was reviewing the PHMSA order. "We will not comment specifically on the contents of the (Notice of Probable Violation) until that analysis is complete," the company said in a statement. Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions