Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board holds first meeting

The Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board, which Gov. Rick Snyder created on September 3, held its first meeting on Wednesday to discuss organizational matters and review its responsibilities.

“This board will help Michigan better understand our risks, benefits, and alternatives to pipelines, and provide critical advice on steps Michigan can take to carry out those actions identified by the Pipeline Safety Task Force,” said Board Co-Chair Valerie Brader, who is also the Michigan Agency for Energy Executive Director.

The meeting set a path for the board’s future activities, emphasising safety, upkeep and transparency, and discussed recommendations from the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force. The board also encouraged public participation. All meetings are open to the general public and meeting agendas and other details will be posted online on the Board’s website.

“It’s vitally important that we protect Michigan’s natural resources — especially our water — and still make sure our state’s residents have access to the energy they need,” Co-Chair Dan Wyant, who also serves as the director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, said.