Enbridge controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Catalyst Paper and Paper Excellence sue Enbridge over pipeline rupture
Lawsuit filed
Catalyst Paper Corp. and Paper Excellence Canada Holdings Corp. filed a lawsuit naming Enbridge and Westcoast Energy as defendants. The plaintiffs allege the pipeline rupture was caused by the defendants' negligence and seek unspecified damages; the allegations are not a court determination.
Company response
Clarification — Enbridge
In a statement, Enbridge said it had learned much from the 2018 incident and had completed a comprehensive review of its natural gas pipeline system in B.C. in order to prevent similar incidents and significantly improve safety.
Source excerpt
The plaintiffs claim that the rupture was caused by the negligence of the defendants and are seeking unspecified general and special damages.
In a statement, Enbridge said it had learned much from the 2018 incident and had completed a comprehensive review of its natural gas pipeline system in B.C. in order to prevent similar incidents and significantly improve safety.
2021
Minnesota fines Enbridge over Line 3 project violations
Fine or penalty
Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources fined Enbridge $3.32 million, citing failure to follow environmental laws during construction of the Line 3 replacement project and an unauthorized groundwater appropriation. The regulator also ordered restoration and monitoring measures. Enbridge said it was working with the agency and implementing a corrective action plan.
Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources fined Enbridge $3.32 million, citing failure to follow environmental laws during construction of the Line 3 replacement project and an unauthorized groundwater appropriation. The regulator also ordered restoration and monitoring measures. Enbridge said it was working with the agency and implementing a corrective action plan.
Company response
Remediation — Enbridge
Enbridge has been working with the DNR since June to provide the required site information and approval of a corrective action plan, which is currently being implemented.
Source excerpt
"Enbridge breached the confining layer of an artesian aquifer, resulting in an unauthorized groundwater appropriation during the construction of the Line 3 replacement project near Enbridge's Clearbrook Terminal," DNR said in a statement
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said it has fined Enbridge Inc $3.32 million, citing the Canadian company's failure to follow environmental laws during the construction of its Line 3 pipeline replacement.
The resulting breach of the aquifer caused an unauthorized release of 24.2 million gallons of water, the DNR said, which has had to be pumped, treated and released to a nearby wetland.
2020
EPA fine against Enbridge over pipeline safety issues
Fine or penalty
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Enbridge $6.7 million over alleged failures to quickly fix pipeline safety issues. Enbridge said it settled with the EPA and agreed to pay the fines.
Source excerpt
Federal regulators have fined Enbridge $6.7 million for allegedly failing to quickly fix pipeline safety issues.
Enbridge said Thursday that the Alberta, Canada-based company has settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and agreed to pay the fines, levied in May.
2010
Kalamazoo River oil spill
A Line 6B rupture released diluted bitumen into Michigan waterways. The incident prompted a lengthy cleanup, regulatory enforcement, litigation, and criticism of response and monitoring practices.
1991
Line 3 oil spill
A Line 3 rupture near Grand Rapids, Minnesota, caused a major inland crude-oil spill and led to cleanup and continuing scrutiny of pipeline safety.