The recently passed state budget restricts counties from requiring special insurance of pipeline operators, but an environmental group is hoping that Dane County finds another way to make an energy firm liable for potential spills.
Enbridge Energy is expanding its Line 61 pipeline with construction of several pump stations, including in Dane County. The budget provision pre-empts the county’s prior decision to require special insurance as a condition for a building permit.
Environmental group 350 Madison’s Peter Anderson said they’d like the county to revoke its permit to Enbridge and reissue another that requires a $25 million trust fund, “which would only allow disbursements from that trust for the purpose of cleaning up spills caused by Enbridge.”
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Dane County Zoning Committee Vice Chair Mary Kolar said they’ve asked staff to examine the budget’s impacts for their next meeting.
“I would like to hear possible alternatives that we may be able to take to protect Dane County and the environment,” said Kolar.
An Enbridge spokeswoman said construction is set to begin within the next few months, and repeated the group’s promise that it would pay for all clean-up costs in the event of a spill.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with a comment from Enbridge.
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