Raising Michigan’s Liability Cap for Pipeline Spills

A state lawmaker in Michigan is planning to introduce a bill to lift a cap on  liability from oil spills from pipelines, legislation that mirrors similar proposals being considered in Congress in light of the Gulf oil spill.

Todd A. Heywood, at our sister-publication The Michigan Messenger, reports:

State Sen. Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) has introduced legislation in the State Senate to lift a cap on costs oil companies have to pay for clean ups associated with their pipelines.

Anderson told Jack Ebling on WILS 1320 AM radio Wednesday that right now, state law caps the damages a company is liable for at $15 million.

But the Senate, which is dominated by Republicans, adjourned for a mid-summer break without acting on Anderson’s legislation.

“They chose to do nothing with it,” Anderson said. “They passed a resolution that called on officials from the federal government to the locals to do all they can. That’s nothing but talk.”