July 10, 2020
Line 5 Updates
Enbridge has submitted to the Michigan Circuit Court and to the State of Michigan the results of inspections of the area of interest on the west segment of Line 5. The inspection, using an inline inspection tool, found no internal or external metal loss or dents. This test reconfirms that the west leg of the pipeline is safe to operate.  

Enbridge has continued to work with both the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the State of Michigan about both the west and east segment investigations and will continue to do so.  Enbridge hopes to have the east segment operational again soon.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) together with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority (MSCA) recently announced the launch of the  Line 5 in Michigan website .  The new multi-agency website –  Michigan.gov/Line 5  – is designed to keep the public informed about Enbridge Energy’s proposal to relocate the current section of the Line 5 oil and natural gas liquids pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac with a new section of pipeline to be housed in a tunnel beneath the lakebed.

In addition to providing an overview of the regulatory permitting process that the proposed project must follow, the website will also include technical and permitting documents, timelines, maps and other resources to help the public better understand the tunnel proposal and the unique roles various state entities play in the permitting process.

Under Michigan law, EGLE is the regulatory agency responsible for environmental permitting for the tunnel project, while the MPSC has siting authority for pipelines that carry crude oil and petroleum products. Housed within MDOT, the MSCA is responsible for overseeing construction and operation of the proposed tunnel. MSCA would own the tunnel after its construction and provide independent oversight throughout its life.

Finally, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources released numerous Enbridge Inc. documents related to the company’s easement compliance for its operations in the Mackinac Straits. In June 2019, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer tasked the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with undertaking a comprehensive review of Enbridge compliance with a 1953 easement for the company’s dual petroleum pipelines at the straits. The easement outlines the terms under which Enbridge can operate the pipelines on the bottomlands of the Great Lakes.

The DNR has requested and received from Enbridge numerous documents necessary to complete this review. The documents supplied by Enbridge are now  available online  for public review.

IPGA will continue to monitor the Line 5 issue in Michigan and provide its members with updates relevant to the Indiana Propane industry.
2020 Employee Training
IPGA offers CETP and non-certified employee training for those employed in the propane industry or looking to obtain propane training certification. To make training more accessible to everyone, classes are held in multiple locations. Classes are open to members and non-members and pre-registration is necessary. Please note, locations have changed, for the most current information, click here .
Propane School Bus Success Stories Webinar
July 15 | 10-11am CDT
Join South Shore Clean Cities for the Propane School Bus Success Stories webinar. Hear from South Shore Clean Cities Green Fleet members on their successes with transitioning their school bus fleets to propane, including the cost savings and fuel economy improvements they achieved. Learn from industry experts what fueling and infrastructure options are available. Hear from South Shore Clean Cities how the  Green Fleet program  can help your fleet achieve maximum success. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Speakers include:

NPGA Supply Webinar Series: Preparing for Peak Demand
Tuesday, July 21 | 2 PM EST 
Many propane industry members are facing unprecedented challenges this year in contracting for supply, and NPGA’s Propane Supply and Logistics Committee will be hosting a series of webinars throughout the summer. 

This webinar will focus on preparing for peak demand. With current crude prices and drilling budgets slashed, associated gas production numbers have been down, creating a decreased supply of propane. Global petrochemical demand is also down, but exports have risen. Potentially markets could become tighter this year - especially if we have a cold Winter or have logistics difficulty getting propane in the right markets at the right time. Speakers include:
  • Steve Kossuth, UGI Corporation, NPGA Propane Supply and Logistics Committee Chair
  • Kim Colburn, BP, NPGA Propane Supply and Logistics Committee Vice Chair
  • Josh McCall, BP’s Fundamental Analytics Team, Overview of the current production and demand
  • Rusty Braziel, RBN Energy, LLC., Implications of the current situation for supply planning and downstream logistics management 
 
IPGA Board Meeting: July 28
IPGA is hosting a board meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 11:30am-2:30pm at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, IN. Members are welcome to attend if interested.
If you will be attending as a non-board member, registration is required. Click here to register.
President's Council Members
Indiana Propane Gas Association
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