On Friday, U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Mich.) introduced legislation in Congress to protect the Great Lakes from aging oil pipelines. The Great Lakes Oil Spill Prevention Act (H.R. 4787) establishes safety and structural integrity, coating, testing, and reporting requirements for oil pipelines which traverse the Great Lakes, such as Enbridge’s Line 5. It also establishes a 50-year lifespan for Great Lakes pipelines and establishes liability for an oil spill in the Great Lakes of $75 million plus full cleanup costs.
Mike Shriberg, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Center, said:
“We appreciate Rep. Bishop’s initiative to protect our Great Lakes from aging oil pipelines like Line 5. Line 5 poses a significant risk to the Great Lakes and the communities, businesses and wildlife they support.”
The full text of the legislation can be found at: mikebishop.house.gov
Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place.
Learn MoreA groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs.
Read MoreMore than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. test