Wisconsin DNR tells Enbridge to stop work on pipeline after natural gas leak

The Wisconsin DNR issued a notice of noncompliance to Enbridge after the company began building an unpermitted bypass around a valve responsible for a 1.3 million gallon spill of natural gas liquids near Saxon, the largest such spill in Enbridge's history. The agency says it warned the company three separate times that the bypass required state, and possibly county and federal, approval before construction began.

DNR Secretary Karen Hyun wrote that she was “deeply concerned and incredibly frustrated,” noting the bypass work involved matting placed in wetlands near Spoon Creek, a regulated waterway, and that the site has already seen “significant discharge” of volatile organic compounds harmful to health and environment. She called it part of a “growing list of environmental concerns and violations” from the company.

Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner said the company is working “around the clock” on cleanup and restoring service, framing the pipeline as “critical infrastructure” for the region. An attorney for Midwest Environmental Advocates countered that Enbridge cannot simply decide restoring service outranks following state law, and that the DNR should consider revoking the reroute permits if the pattern continues.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.