MichiganRadio

Environmental law group: Enforce fines against Enbridge DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - A Detroit non-profit group threatening to sue Enbridge Energy over the West Michigan oil spill says it's just trying to make sure existing environmental laws are enforced.

The Great Lakes Environmental Law Center says its lawsuit would be delayed or dismissed if the state or federal government decides to pursue the fines.

Executive Director Nick Schroeck says the Clean Water Act calls for an $1100 fine for each barrel of oil spilled. The West Michigan spill is estimated at 20-24,000 barrels.

But Schroek says that fine would increase if Enbridge was "grossly negligent" in maintaining the ruptured pipe.

"The gross negligence factor makes the fine $4300 per barrel of oil," Schroeck says. "It goes up significantly. So you're looking at a fine between $25 and $100 million."

An Enbridge spokeswoman declined comment on potential litigation.
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