The Marshall release: A story of responsibility, accountability and doing the right thing

The Marshall incident of July 2010 transformed the way we think about safety, and how we operate, at Enbridge. The feedback and support of area residents helped guide our steps and shape the responsive company we are today. Safety and environmental protection of our communities and waterways remain our top priority. What we learned from the incident inspires us and informs the proactive steps we have taken and will take tomorrow.

While we greatly regret and accept responsibility for what happened near Marshall, we are extremely proud of what has been done to improve the environment and safety since then.

Today, because of the hard work of many people, the Kalamazoo River watershed has been transformed. According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the state’s environmental protection agency, “the restoration is nothing short of amazing.”

Anglers and boaters use the pristine Kalamazoo River for kayak floats and fishing tournaments.

A section near the original release site at Talmadge Creek was designated in 2023 as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Today, it’s a quality habitat in which box turtles, raptors and other wildlife thrive.

This year, pollinators have been added to further enhance the natural habitat.

In the wake of the Marshall incident, we’ve invested $14.5 billion on maintenance, inspection and leak detection across our cross-continent pipeline network—keeping our pipes healthy and fit for service.

As with any turnaround story, we wish the events that created the story had never happened in the first place. And as we move forward, working with Michiganders, we remain committed to protect and preserve the state’s natural resources.

We are part of Michigan’s history, and we look forward to being a vital partner of its safe and healthy future.