Letter To Lisa Jackson, Adminstrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Letter

Durbin Joins Senators in Urging EPA to Prevent Oil Spill from Reaching Great Lakes

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and four other senators from states bordering the Great Lakes in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prevent oil from the recent pipeline spill in Michigan's Talmadge Creek from entering Lake Michigan. The Midwestern Senators urged the EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, to conduct a thorough and prompt investigation into the spill and hold the responsible parties accountable for all damages.

"We further urge you to apply all resources, technology and expertise to ensure containment and a full clean-up," the Senators wrote. "Our top priority must be addressing the threats to affected communities, public health, and the environment and containing the spread of the oil spill to prevent it from further impacting downstream communities. The contamination of Lake Michigan would significantly increase the magnitude of the spill's impacts."

Additional senators signing on to today's letter include: Senators Roland Burris (D-IL), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

The text of the letter below:

July 29, 2010

Lisa Jackson
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building?1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.?Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson:

We write to express our strong concern about the oil spill threatening Lake Michigan -- reportedly the largest spill ever in the Midwest -- and to request your full and immediate support in addressing this latest tragedy.

Earlier this week, an oil pipeline owned by Enbridge Inc. spilled into Michigan's Talmadge Creek and, based on the latest reports, the spill has extended 25 miles down the Kalamazoo River towards Lake Michigan.

Our top priority must be addressing the threats to affected communities, public health, and the environment and containing the spread of the oil spill to prevent it from further impacting downstream communities. The contamination of Lake Michigan would significantly increase the magnitude of the spill's impacts. We seek immediate information from the Environmental Protection Agency, as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator, regarding response plan efforts to contain and clean up the spill. We further urge you to apply all resources, technology and expertise to ensure containment and a full clean-up.

We also urge you to hold the responsible party or parties accountable for all damages, conduct a thorough and prompt investigation into the spill, pursue full enforcement actions, and formulate recommendations to ensure our waters, wildlife, and communities are protected. We look forward to closely coordinating with you and your staff.

Sincerely,
Dick Durbin
U.S. Senator

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