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Agencies, Enbridge Plan Straits Of Mackinac Oil Spill Drill

MACKINAW CITY, Mich. (AP) — State and federal agencies are teaming with pipeline operator Enbridge Energy Partners for an oil spill response exercise in the area where crude is piped beneath the Great Lakes.

More than 300 people are joining the drill on Thursday, which will simulate a leak from Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. The twin lines carry 23 million gallons of crude daily. It's part of a network that runs from North Dakota to Sarnia, Ontario.

Enbridge says Line 5 is safe, but environmental groups want it shut down.

Participating agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with local law enforcement personnel.

Also attending will be Marie Therese Dominguez, head of the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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