Michigan Gas Line Controversy

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Tuesday, June 13, 2000 L O C A L N E W S

Gas Line Controversy Reported by Bill Spencer Web produced by Christiana Ciolac

The company that owns the gas line which ruptured in Jackson County says the spill is not responsible for rising gas prices. The governor's office disagrees. [Video] Officials at a press conference in Jackson County said Tuesday the gas pipeline break has nothing to do with the price of gas. The governor's office said that is not true.

The pipeline, about 16 inches in diameter, ruptured seven days ago. It carries one third of gasoline used in Michigan. Seventy-five thousand gallons of highly explosive gasoline flowed into the ground, creeks and rivers.

"This is probably one of the biggest incidents in the year with us, next to the incident in Flint with the propane tanker," Kurt Grunert, from the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Officials in Blackman Township say the pipeline section which ruptured is being replaced and it is expected to be open as soon as midnight Wednesday night.

How much of a price increase are we paying? The governor's office said because of the pipeline break, the prices have gone up 20 percent.

Stations Bag Gas Pumps

The pumps at some gas stations are dry. One manager in Southfield is preparing to lay off workers unless shipments arrive soon. He bagged up his pumps because he sold every drop of gas.

Tuesday morning, Channel 7 reporters found self serve regular as high as $2.19 a gallon in the metro area. Monday's average in Michigan was $2.01.

Michigan does not have the highest gas prices in the country. Chicago and Milwaukee's average prices range between $2.15 and $2.25 a gallon http://www.newsdirectory.com/go/?f=&r=mi&u=www.detnow.com

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), June 13, 2000


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