Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership Thomas Hodge City Center Project Director 1409 Hammond Avenue Superior, Wisconsin 54880 I Ph: (866) 410-4356 Line6bprojects@enbridge.com August3l,20l2 HECQVED 2012 Br <1 h' BRAND sig? lp ON Pf). Box 929 Ortonville, MI 48462 Dear Ms. Thurman: I am writing to update you on Enbridge's plans to replace segments of its Line 6B interstate liquid petroleum pipeline ("Line over the next two years. For your information, Line 6B originates in Griffith, Indiana, traverses northwestern Indiana and then crosses southern Michigan until it reaches Marysville, Michigan where it crosses the U.S./Canada international border and terminates in Sarnia, Ontario. Line 6B serves regional refmeries, including refineries in Detroit and Toledo, which serve the petroleum needs for residents in Michigan and the surrounding region. Line 6B was constructed in 1969 and has been operated and maintained in the Township since that time. Enbridge has conducted an integrity maintenance and management program on Line 6B for many years. This year, as part of that maintenance program, Enbridge is replacing 75 miles of Line 6B. Next year, subject to regulatory approval, Enbridge plans to replace 210 miles of Line 6B and to deactivate the existing line. These projects are intended to assure the continued reliability and security of Line 6B, as well as restore the original delivery capacity of Line 6B to meet regional refineries' present and future need for North American crude oil. Enbridge has determined that these projects at this time are the most efficient method to assure continued reliable and secure deliveries of crude oil to the region, while minimizing impacts to landowners, local communities and the environment. Enbridge is aware that you may have recently been contacted by an organization named POLAR Legal Defense Fund or the Field Law Group, PLLC about the Line 6B projects. Building on the 43 years Line 6B has operated in the Township, Enbridge looks forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the Township and provides the following additional information about the Line 6B projects. Enbrid has enhanced the desi and eration of the re lacement se ments: Enbridge disagrees with the assertion that the design of the replacement segments falls short of enhancements that Enbridge committed to on another project crossing the Rocky Mountains in remote areas of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. There is no substance to this claim. The Enbridge Northern Gateway Project is designed for unique terrain, remote areas and higher operating pressures than those of Line 6B. Furthermore, some enhancements were recently announced for the Northem Gateway project to adhere to the more stringent U.S. codes and standards that the Line 6B replacement segments already include in their design. The following are some specific examples of Line 6B enhancements: Line 6B will operate with a high safety margin at 72% of the pre-tested yield strength of the pipe, which is confinned with a hydrostatic test upon completion of construction. There are also a variety of quality control measures utilized during the pipe manufacture, transport and installation to ensure the pipe's fitness for use. Recently the Northem Gateway project added to that project's safety margin bv agreeing to operate at the stricter US. standard. rather than the 80% of pine yield strength allowed for in Canadian regulations. The Northern Gateway pipeline will operate at approximately 2,200 psi (pounds per square inch), as compared to the lower 1,400 psi for the 36 inch diameter Line 6B pipe segments and 1,260 psi for the 30 inch diameter Line 6B pipe segments. Some enhancements were made by Northern Gateway in light of the lack of access to electrical power or maintenance crews due to remote operating conditions. or Line 6B, Enbridge will have 35 remotely controlled electric valves along with maintenance personnel at stations along the pipeline, exceeding federal regulatory requirements. Similar to the Northern Gateway project, Enbridge's standard practice for new pipeline construction is to field test 100% of the field welds rather than the 10% standard that is required by regulation. Enbridge has increased the wall thickness for the Line 6B replacement segments. At wetland and water crossings with 30 inch dia1neter pipe, the wall thickness ranges from 0.375 inch to 0.625 inch. At wetland and water crossings with 36 inch diameter pipe, the wall thickness ranges from 0.500 inch to 0.625 inch. The remainder of the replacement segments will be 0.375 inch wall thickness, which is significantly more than the 0.25 inch wall thickness of the existing pipeline that will be deactivated after completion of the projects. Similar to the planned Northern Gateway pipeline, Enbridge's standard practice is to plan future internal inspections of the entire pipeline at intervals of 5 years (or less), using the world's most sophisticated instruments. This practice far exceeds federal standards requiring such integrity assessments only through federally designated "high consequence areas." All of Enbridge's liquid pipelines will employ a recently enhanced suite of leak detection capabilities including remote pipeline monitoring and dual leak detection system, with additional ultrasonic meters at facility stations, external sensors and supplemental pressure transmitters installed along the mainline at various locations. Leak awareness is also heightened by an expanded public awareness program already underway along Line 6B. Pipeline design and safety is regulated at the federal level: Enbridge understands the need for local governments and local communities to ask questions about the design standards and safety measures for this pipeline that will operate in their area. However, Enbridge must comply with federal laws that govern the safe construction, operation and maintenance of its interstate common carrier pipeline. These federal regulations, which include safety and standards relating to road crossings, apply to the design and construction of the Line 6B projects. As an interstate pipeline, Enbridge is solely regulated by federal pipeline design, construction and safety legislation and regulations. Additionally, Enbridge has demonstrated throughout the course of operating Line 6B that the use of its right of way is compatible with and does not interfere with existing road easements. Road crossing permits will be obtained from the cotmty road commissions along the route through Michigan to the extent required for these projects. Enbridge is prepared to meet with local communities and townships at you convenience to discuss these Line 6B projects, and we are available to respond to any questions that you might have about them. Please contact our local representative, Joe Martucci at (248) 703-1055, if you have questions or wish to meet with Enbridge representatives. SIHCCI ely, O. Thomas Hodge Project Director