Gary Peters

It's important for us to have a sense of how to deal with that, which is a big reason why in the Coast Guard reauthorization bill, I've included language to create a Center of Excellence to be able to research freshwater spills.

I have heard that it's because the focus was on the cables for the Coast Guard, that that may have delayed actually getting visual inspection onto Line 5.

So the unified command was able to do a quick assessment, and you're stating for the record that Line 5 was a priority, part of that unified command, to see if that was indeed damaged?

So those are today's regulations. Of course, the pipe across the straits, that was 60 years ago.

We certainly need to have much greater understanding across the country because these pipelines are crossing rivers and other lakes.

I was able to get language recently passed that takes a look at the entire Great Lakes region and now classifies the entire Great Lakes region as a high-consequence area.

Given Enbridge has failed to report damage to Line 5 in the past, how can PHMSA, or the State of Michigan be confident that damages are actually being properly monitored?

Senator Peters, thank you for the opportunity to testify on oil spills from pipelines in the Great Lakes.

I certainly don't want to wait until the next disaster to consider what could have we have done to prevent it.

An oil spill in the Great Lakes would be absolutely catastrophic for our environment and for our economy.

I think it's fair to say that you will not find a more sensitive area anywhere in the United States of America than the Straits of Mackinac.

So are you--is PHMSA confident that the coating is fully intact on the straits segment of Line 5?

The primary responsibility for cleanup is the company that is operating the pipeline or the spill incident.

Do you think two and a half weeks is quick enough?

I believe was completely unacceptable for the long time that was involved.

Do you feel that PHMSA had the available needed legal authority to compel Enbridge to take action back in April?

We plan to enhance those relationships and to communicate regularly with you to assure that we're working diligently and efficiently to ensure pipeline safety in Michigan.

If you're looking for the worst absolute place for an oil disaster to occur, it would be the Straits of Mackinac.

The Great Lakes are deeply intertwined with our state and our people.

We see it in places all across the country at various times. Accidents do happen.

We don't ever want to get to the point where we have to clean up.

But I want to get back to the damage that was done.

I appreciate it, Mr. Hennessy.

I appreciate Senator Carper working closely with me on this issue.

I am optimistic that life did evolve on Mars. I am not optimistic that it got very complex.