A Houston-based company is looking to set the record straight about the possibility of shipping crude oil into Canada through a 98-year-old pipeline under the St. Clair River.
Plains LPG Services told the Sydenham Current via e-mail they have no such plans.
“Plains LPG Services (Plains LPG) submitted an application for a U.S. Department of State Presidential Permit in 2012 to update the legal change of ownership of six pipelines that cross the U.S./Canada border and St. Clair River between Sarnia, Ontario and St. Clair, Michigan,” Plains LPG Services officials stated.
“Two of these pipelines are in service and were built in 1971 and 1973, respectively. Contrary to previous media reports, both of these pipelines transport liquid petroleum gases (LPG) such as butane and propane. These pipelines have never transported crude oil, and Plains LPG has no intention to transport crude oil on these lines.”
Company officials said four of the pipelines are inactive and have been taken out of service.
“Including the two pipelines that were constructed in 1918,” Plains LPG Services officials stated.
The State Department requires a company to apply for a new Presidential Permit to reflect any change of ownership for pipelines crossing the international border between Canada and the United States.
“Plains LPG, a subsidiary of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Plains), took ownership of the pipelines from the previous owner in 2012 and subsequently filed an application to amend the owner of the pipeline,” officials stated.
“Plains has no business plan to change the nature of the pipeline’s operation.”
Company officials added: “Pipelines are one of the safest, most reliable and most efficient means of transporting crude oil and natural gas liquids. Plains continues to safely operate our pipelines and to meet or exceed, the regulatory requirements to demonstrate our commitment to public safety and the protection of the environment.”
A Detroit Free Press article brought the issue to the forefront over the weekend, which drew concerns from environmental groups including Wallaceburg’s WATCH group.
Here is our original article: WATCH ‘concerned’ about St. Clair River pipelines
Watch for more on this story.
