The U.S. government has approved the release of $13 million to help cleanup an oil spill in Michigan, the Environmental Protection Agency said.
A branch of the Lakehead oil pipeline system, one of the longest in the world, ruptured July 26, spilling oil in the Talmadge Creek and the
Kalamazoo River in southern Michigan.
Enbridge Energy Partners, the Canadian company that operates the pipeline on the Lakehead system, said in a statement that "no oil remains" in the
Kalamazoo River and "sheen only remains upstream of Battle Creek."
The company, during a news conference with EPA officials in Michigan, said the recovery effort has shifted to washing and collecting oil from the
riverbanks.
"We are recovering very little oil anymore off of the river as it has now gone down mostly to sheen," added Enbridge Executive Vice President Steve
Wuori. Meanwhile, the EPA said it received approval to distribute as much as $13 million to fund the federal response to the Enbridge spill.
"EPA can request additional funding if it determines more is needed," the environmental agency added in its latest statement.
Enbridge officials said they would pay "all legitimate claims" from the spill.
Air quality concerns in the area forced several people from their homes last week. Officials in southern Michigan were warning residents about water
quality as well.