Enbridge starts oil through Michigan line

MARSHALL, Mich., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Oil started flowing through an oil pipeline in southern Michigan that ruptured in late July, Michigan environmental officials said Monday.

Line 6B of the Lakehead oil pipeline system burst in late July, dumping around 20,000 barrels of oil into rivers in southern Michigan.

Enbridge, the Canadian pipeline company responsible for Line 6B, was given approval last week to resume operations on the pipeline after it completed the necessary repairs.

An official with the Environmental Protection Agency told West Michigan's WOOD TV 8 broadcaster that Enbridge started testing the pipeline Monday with a partial flow of oil.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced last week that it approved a gradual restart plan for the pipeline only if Enbridge addressed a series of concerns.

The agency ordered the company to repair "every portion" of Line 6B known to have so-called anomalies within 180 days. Enbridge has until Oct. 31 to clean up whatever oil remains in area waterways.

The National Transportation Safety Board received two sections of Line 6B at their facilities in Virginia and is examining the cause of the July accident. The spill allegedly occurred several hours before it was reported to authorities.

WOOD TV 8 said full flow through Line 6B wasn't expected until Wednesday.