Enbridge Sued by Wisconsin Landowners over Spill Insurance

A group of Wisconsin landowners is suing Enbridge to force the company to carry spill insurance on a pipeline that will carry Canadian tar sands oil across the state.

The landowners live within 350 yards of the pipeline. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the lawsuit was filed in Dane County court.

Despite a state ban on counties imposing spill insurance requirements, the landowners contend the law still allows citizens to demand that a court enforce the county’s zoning regulations.

Canadian-based Enbridge has been granted a conditional use permit to build a pumping station in Medina. The expanded line would carry Canadian tar sands oil from a tank farm in Superior to refineries in northern Illinois.

Enbridge spokeswoman Jennifer Smith says the company has not yet received the complaint.