Estimates Now Say A Million Gallons Leaked

MARSHALL (WKZO) - The accusations are flying this morning as the clean-up of the Kalamazoo River in Calhoun County isn’t going as well as some had hoped and the facts are beginning to conflict from source to source. The EPA and Enbridge say the oil has advanced 25-miles down the river, but State Police Capt. Tom Sands in the state’s emergency preparedness office says from the air, he could see oil 35 miles down.

That prompted the Governor who first slammed Enbridge for their slow response, to add the EPA to the list. Congressman Mark Schauer wants the company investigated to find out why it took so long to realize the oil was leaking in the first place

Last night the Federal Agency that regulates pipelines, slapped Enbridge with a Corrective Action Order, forcing them to abandon plans to put the pipeline back in service, until they are satisfied with the investigation into the leak and the repairs. The allegations may be why last night’s press briefing was cancelled. The Governor demanded action Tuesday night on the oil spill and the extra crews began arriving yesterday from all over the Midwest. Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel told reporters that they will do what it takes to clean the mess. They are installing more booms on the river upstream from Morrow Pond.

But efforts to stop the oil using the same techniques have not been entirely successful, and as a precaution, more booms are being installed in the river downstream from the Morrow Dam, just in case.