From: Ogar, Jon (GOV)
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 5:00 PM
To: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Subject: What the Governor's Talking about Today

Importance: High

Debbie:

 

You can send this out now.

 

What the Governor’s Talking about Today

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

 

State Emergency Operations Center Activated in Response to Oil Spill in Calhoun County

The governor today activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to ensure all state resources are readily available to protect public health and the environment in response to the oil spill that occurred July 26 near Marshall.

 

The SEOC is the emergency operations center for the state of Michigan located in Lansing and is overseen by the Michigan Department of State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD).  The SEOC is staffed by members of several state agencies for decision-making and information coordination of disasters or emergencies in the state of Michigan
 
Enbridge Energy Partners shut down the pipeline after locating a leak on July 26, which stopped the source of the oil.  To help contain and remove the spill, seven booms with skimmers were placed in the Talmadge Creek and Kalamazoo River to collect the oil.  Response agencies are also working to develop a barrier around the spill.  No injuries have been reported.
 
Officials with MSP/EMHSD conducted a helicopter flyover today of the affected areas to adequately assess the extent of the spill and impacts to the environment.  Since July 26, a representative of the MSP/EMHSD has been on scene to assist local response efforts as needed.  Calhoun County has declared a local state of emergency and the Calhoun County Emergency Operations Center is activated.
 
Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment are on scene working to conduct an environmental review and ensure the safety and protection of wildlife, fisheries and water resources.  To expedite the delivery of resources to the affected area, the Michigan State Police Traffic Safety Division lifted federal motor carrier safety regulations extending the number of hours allowed for commercial drivers.
 
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is advising people not to eat fish from Talmadge Creek or the Kalamazoo River.  The MDCH is also advising people not to touch or swim in the Talmadge Creek or Kalamazoo River and to avoid the general area of the spill.  These advisories are temporary and will remain in effect until a determination is made by state and federal officials that affected water is safe for fishing and swimming.

 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is mobilizing the State Animal Response Team (MI SART) which is an interagency, coordinated resource dedicated to Michigan animal emergency preparation, planning, response and recovery.  If activated, MI SART will implement a safe, environmentally-sound and efficient response on the local, county, state and federal levels. 
 
The MDA is advising all producers and homeowners using the Kalamazoo River, or other connected surface water, for crop or lawn irrigation or watering animals (including livestock, pets, etc.), to immediately stop using those sources of water and seek alternate sources.  Additionally, people should restrict access by livestock or pets to those impacted water sources.

Key messages:

 

Governor Says Michigan Poised to Become Advanced Battery Capital of the World

The governor today highlighted the growth of Michigan’s advanced battery industry in video greetings to the National Academy of Sciences which is holding an advanced battery conference in Livonia.
 
Michigan is now home to 16 advanced battery companies in various stages of construction and production, representing almost $6 billion in capital investment.  These advanced manufacturing companies will create an estimated 62,000 new jobs for Michigan workers over the next decade. 
 

The governor said that with nearly 70 percent of the nation’s annual oil consumption used for transportation, increasing the availability and use of vehicles powered with advanced batteries and alternative fuels produced in America will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make the nation more secure.
 
The National Academy of Sciences, along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy, organized this week’s conference entitled “Building a U.S. Battery Industry for Electric Drive Vehicles: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities.”  The conference is exploring key issues facing the federal government and state governments in their efforts to effectively develop the nation’s advanced battery industry.

 

Key messages:

 

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Jon Ogar

Senior Writer/Editor

Communications Division

Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm

Office 517-335-6819

Cell 517-515-2743

Fax 517-335-6790