Crews Continue Removing Oil from Underwater Electric Cables
MACKINAW CITY, Mich. (AP) — Crews continue to remove coolant fluid from electric cables that sprang a leak in the Straits of Mackinac earlier this week.
The U.S. Coast Guard says about 600 gallons (2,271 liters) of mineral-based synthetic oil escaped into the waterway linking Lakes Huron and Michigan. The cables are operated by Wisconsin-based American Transmission Company, which has taken them out of service.
A company contractor is removing about 800 gallons (3,028 liters) of oil remaining in the two damaged cables. The Coast Guard says about 10 percent was sucked out Wednesday.
Officials say there’s little risk to the public or wildlife because the fluid will be diluted, while heavy shoreline ice should prevent anyone from coming in contact with the oil.
Coast Guard air crews haven’t spotted any oil on the surface.
Related News
From Archive
- OSHA investigates fatal trench collapse at Conroe construction site
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Fiber drilling strike triggers major sewer failure, lawsuits in Florida
- Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
- Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
- Race Communications breaks ground on Bakersfield fiber network
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process

Comments