The Dane County Board on July 16 will hear the Enbridge Energy pipeline company's appeal of a permit that requires the company to purchase insurance aimed at guaranteeing a prompt and thorough cleanup in the event of a spill of tar sands crude oil.
Dane County Board to hear Enbridge pipeline appeal July 16
Enbridge Energy electrical technician Scott Welter walks between pipelines outside the company's pumping station in the town of Medina. The company wants to build a second pumping station there to as part of a plan to triple capacity of its Line 61, which carries tar sands crude through Wisconsin.
A last-minute budget provision appears to exempt Enbridge Energy from a county-imposed pollution insurance requirement.
On the advice of a pollution risk expert, the county zoning board required Enbridge to supply a cleanup money guarantee.
A consultant reports that Enbridge's offer wouldn't ensure a full cleanup as conditions change over the long haul.
Some towns have chafed for years under restrictions of county officials who want to maintain wide-open spaces between 'burbs.
Enbridge Energy's plans call for tripling the flow through its Line 61, which carries heavy crude through Wisconsin.
