Tuesday, January 28, 2003 By Associated Press
SUPERIOR, Wis. -- A pipeline carrying crude oil ruptured, dumping nearly 19,000 gallons (71,900 liters) onto the frozen Nemadji River, a tributary of Lake Superior.
At least 100,000 gallons (378,500 liters) spilled at Enbridge Energy Terminal, about two miles (three kilometers) from the lake, but most of it was contained within the terminal's ditches and retention ponds, company officials said.
The pipeline is about half a mile (0.6 meters) from the terminal.
The leak happened Friday night, apparently during delivery from the pipeline to a storage tank, said Mark Sitek, regional general manager for Houston-based Enbridge Energy.
Cleanup of the ice-covered river is expected to take a few days, Sitek said. Cleanup of the terminal could take as long as several weeks. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is monitoring the effort.
The company resumed transporting oil Saturday after bypassing the ruptured line, said Denise Hamsher, Enbridge spokeswoman.
Enbridge had a smaller oil spill in 2000, but that leak was contained within the terminal.
Source: Associated Press:
