A parked semi-truck rolled into an excavation site and
struck Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline Tuesday morning in Iron County, Wisconsin,
causing a release of natural gas liquids about five miles east of the Bad River
Reservation.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. Aug. 25 near Sitan Road
in the Town of Saxon, according to state and local officials. The unoccupied
truck reportedly rolled into an open excavation associated with a Line 5 valve
project and struck the pipeline.
Enbridge isolated and shut down the affected section of the
pipeline following the incident. No injuries were reported, although one person
was evacuated from the area.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the
damaged portion of Line 5 was carrying natural gas liquids rather than crude
oil. The amount released had not yet been determined as of Tuesday.
Emergency crews, including hazardous materials teams,
responded to the scene. Sitan Road was closed, power was temporarily shut off
in the affected area and a temporary no-fly zone was established.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa said its fire
department and first responders were among those on standby following the
incident.
Bad River Tribal Chairwoman Elizabeth Arbuckle said weather
conditions indicated the released gas was not moving toward the reservation,
but the Tribe would continue monitoring the situation.
The incident comes as Enbridge continues construction on a
controversial 41-mile reroute of Line 5 around the Bad River Reservation. The
project has faced opposition from the Bad River Band and environmental groups
concerned about potential impacts to wetlands, waterways and the Lake Superior
watershed.
The pipeline project has also experienced several
drilling-fluid releases during construction, including a release of up to
approximately 1,900 gallons in June.
Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner said the company was
investigating the incident and working with responding agencies.
PHOTO: Photo by Sarah Rice for Earthjustice.