FILE - This Feb. 11, 2014, aerial file photo shows a view of the Mackinac Bridge, which spans a 5-mile-wide freshwater channel called the Straits of Mackinac that separates Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said Friday, April 13, 2018, that the flow of crude oil through twin pipelines through the Straits should be suspended until authorities determine how severely they were damaged by what may have been a ship anchor strike. The Coast Guard is delaying action because of a heavy storm expected this weekend. (Keith King/Traverse City Record-Eagle via AP, Pool, File)
Republished April 16, 2018 - 3:10 PM
Original Publication Date April 16, 2018 - 8:11 AM
MACKINAW CITY, Mich. - Oil is flowing again through side-by-side pipelines beneath the waterway that connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Enbridge Inc. announced Monday afternoon it has restarted its Line 5, which was shut down over the weekend. The company blamed a power outage. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan had pushed for a temporary shutdown because of high winds and heavy currents in the Straits of Mackinac.
Line 5 carries 23 million gallons (87 million litres) of oil daily between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario.
Enbridge also was preparing to launch an underwater vehicle to inspect damage to the underwater pipes that officials say may have been caused by a ship's anchor.
The suspected anchor strike may also have damaged two electric cables that leaked coolant fluid into the straits.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018