"Another deadline extension means the EPA has still not determined how much the pipeline company should pay for Clean Water Act violations."

"Negotiations between Enbridge Inc. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been extended again over a fine that could exceed $100 million for violations under the Clean Water Act in the pipeline operator’s 2010 Kalamazoo River disaster.

The spill of highly toxic tar sands oil fouled a 40-mile stretch of the river in Michigan. It was the biggest inland oil spill in U.S. history and resulted in a massive cleanup that kept the river closed for nearly two years. The cleanup has cost the company more than $1.2 billion. In addition, Enbridge has already been assessed almost $83 million in penalties by other state and federal authorities.

Enbridge, an energy company based in Calgary, disclosed the extension of talks with the EPA in its annual report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The deadline for reaching a settlement had been extended once before. Management cited the intricate nature of the talks."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News February 19, 2016. [2]