Editor’s note: Trent Wetmore, Enbridge director of Midwest Region operations – Superior Wisconsin, has submitted the following “Line 13 Update from Enbridge.”
The safe and reliable delivery of energy we all use is important to those of you reading this letter, but it is paramount to every single team member at Enbridge. No leak is acceptable, and we know people are concerned about the release of light hydrocarbons at a valve site near Fort Atkinson. We apologize for any concerns or inconveniences this may have caused anyone living in this area and want to assure you that we are taking the appropriate steps to remediate the site and gain back the trust that we have worked so hard for over 70 years to earn.
To start, I think it would be helpful to explain the status of our investigation and remediation, and the next steps in our ongoing work at the site. Let’s begin with how the leak was discovered.
Our workers are highly trained and focused, and safety is always job one. Every person working at our facilities wears a variety of personal protective gear to keep them safe, including a personal gas meter that sounds an alarm when it comes into contact with different types of vapors. It was an alarm on an employee’s meter during a routine inspection that initiated our investigation in April of 2019.
The cause was narrowed to a faulty fitting on a valve which was repaired in the spring of 2019. Based on data gathered at the site immediately following discovery, it was estimated to involve a small release of less than two gallons of light hydrocarbon which is below the federal and state reporting threshold. Light hydrocarbon, or diluent, is similar in nature to white gas or camping fuel used in a lantern or portable stove. It is used to blend with heavy crude petroleum to reduce its viscosity to make it “thinner” and more efficient to transport by pipeline.
Several excavations were performed to remove impacted soil, expose the affected valve components, and perform the necessary repair. Results of those excavations indicated very little residual impact to soil and no groundwater was encountered. Further investigation included 27 soil borings, installation of temporary and permanent monitoring wells, and groundwater monitoring. This work resulted in a recalculation of the volume released at approximately 29 barrels. As information was received from our ongoing work at the site, we updated appropriate regulatory authorities, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
Enbridge has been actively working with the WDNR on a Supplemental Site Investigation Work Plan and an Interim Action Work Plan that are planned to be implemented upon agency approval. We have sampled 17 potable wells within 1,500 feet of the site, and an artesian well and can report no components of light hydrocarbon were detected in any of the well samples.
Ongoing monitoring indicates the release is contained within close proximity to the leak source. Upon approval of the submitted work plans, we anticipate final confirmation of the limited extent of environmental impacts will occur and final remediation will be designed and implemented at the site. As we’ve proven over our more than 70 years of operating through this area, we’re committed to do the right thing to ensure we are taking care of this issue.
Again, no release is acceptable. We are working to make this right and will update local governments, landowners and agencies as work continues. We are grateful for the relationships we have developed over the years we’ve operated here and thank those of you who have expressed your confidence that we will continue to do the right thing as we always have.
Trent Wetmore
Enbridge Director of Midwest Region Operations – Superior Wisconsin
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