OREANDA-NEWS. Michigan's two Democratic senators have introduced a bill that would prohibit crude tanker shipments on the US Great Lakes, an idea that has been discussed previously.

The measure by senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters also would require a review of pipelines carrying hazardous materials in the Great Lakes region, including an assessment of spill response and cleanup plans.

Enbridge, which has pledged not to move heavy crude on its 540,000 b/d Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac on the Great Lakes, this week is conducting an emergency response drill on the pipeline system.

The 19,500 bl crude spill into the Kalamazoo river from Enbridge's 500,000 b/d Line 6B five years ago is still on the minds of many, the senators said.

"After experiencing one of the largest inland oil spills in US history, Michiganders know all too well that a pipeline break can have devastating consequences for our environment and our economy," Peters said. "One can only imagine what a disaster it would be for a similar oil spill to occur in the Great Lakes."

Calumet Specialty Products mulled shipping heavy Canadian or light Bakken crude to east coast or midcontinent refiners from a dock on Lake Superior near its 35,000 b/d refinery at Superior, Wisconsin. It suspended the plan, however, after meeting environmental and regulatory resistance along with falling crude prices.

The port can operate most of the year, but typically closes from late December to late March because of ice.

Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers of congress, likely would not support a bill cutting off another potential mode of crude transit as they continue to push to open others, such as TransCanada's proposed 830,000 b/d Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska.