Freshwater Weekly: June 29, 2020

June 26, 2020

This week: Fines and Pipeline Shutdown + All About Water Webinars Address Water Equity and Justice + No Surprise Great Lakes Water Levels Are Rising + Freshwater Future Staff Member, Alicia Smith Appointed to U.S. EPA Advisory Committee


Fines and Pipeline Shutdown

Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Enbridge, a Canadian company with gas and oil pipelines running through the Great Lakes region, $6.7 million for reporting delays and safety violations.  The Canadian company agreed to pay the fines related to dents and weakening metal of  the Lakehead  Pipeline System that extends across northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

This week, a judge ordered Enbridge to shut down Line 5, the dual pipelines running under Lakes Michigan and Huron in Michigan, until a hearing next Tuesday.  Last week, the company reported damaged supports on one of the two pipelines to state officials and shutdown use.  After learning that the company resumed use of one of the 67-year old pipelines without notification to the State, Michigan’s Attorney General requested the shutdown.


All About Water Webinars Address Water Equity and Justice

Limited space is available in the remaining four All About Water Webinar series.  The free sessions feature dynamic and impactful speakers about water affordability equity, community, policy, public health, governmental entities, and a final strategic session to set in motion a water affordability platform.

Public Health & Water Affordability Webinar, Wed, July 1, 2020, 10 am to Noon ET

Government & Water Affordability Webinar, Thurs, July 2, 2020, 2-4 pm ET

Policy & Water Affordability Webinar, Wed, July 8, 10 am to Noon ET

Strategy Session & Water Affordability, Thurs, July 9, 2020, 2-4 pm ET

Register here to participate.

Video recordings, presentations, and resources from the first two sessions featuring equity and community roles in water affordability will be available on our website.


No Surprise Great Lakes Water Levels Are Rising 

Every Great Lake is experiencing near record or record-breaking water levels and the data collected over time is showing why. Since 2005, increased precipitation in the Great Lakes region has been staggering, creating additional runoff that drains into the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes region was predicted to have more rain as a result of climate change, and we are clearly seeing that born out.


Freshwater Future Staff Member, Alicia Smith Appointed to U.S. EPA Advisory Committee

Being a kindergarten teacher is one of Freshwater Future staff member Alicia Smith’s favorite past positions.  Through her appointment to the U.S. EPA Child Health Protection Advisory Committee, she has the opportunity to blend her former expertise as a teacher and her recent experiences working on environmental justice and public health issues around water.  As a member of the Committee, Alicia will advise the U.S. EPA on regulations, research, and communications related to children’s environmental health. Congratulations Alicia!

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-weekly-june-29-2020/

Alexis Smith