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Pipeline's Firm Warned Of Oil Leak

Enbridge Energy, which owns the pipeline that leaked near Battle Creek earlier this week, was warned by the government that the oil leak could happen.

WWJ obtained a confidential letter dated January 21st of this year that was sent by certified mail from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The letter warned Enbridge Energy's President Terry McGill of the potential risk of a leak of the firm's pipeline in Griffith, Indiana.

The pipeline in question by the government is the very same one in which a huge leak is causing major environmental damage near Marshall.

Houston based company Enbridge Energy had committed a probable violation of pipeline safety regulations. Those deficiencies were found in an inspection last fall.

The memo details the problems, including corrosion of the pipe and the lack of equipment to stop the corrosion from spreading. It also states that monitoring equipment should be installed.

Ivan Huntoon, the director of the Central Region office, told Enbridge if nothing was done, the firm could be liable for civil penalties of $100,000 for each day in violation, up to a $1 million.

WWJ has placed a call to company officials but has yet to receive a response.

For more on this story click here.

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