MACKINAW CITY, MI (AP)-- A massive exercise is in the works that would test a company's ability to respond to a spill from oil pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac.
The Grand Rapids Press reports that the drill funded by Canada-based Enbridge Inc. will take place in late September and involve federal, state and local agencies.
Hundreds of responders will participate, as will boats, helicopters, drones, underwater vehicles and other equipment.
The exercise on the pipelines run by Enbridge has been planned for roughly a year. The pipelines have drawn concerns from environmentalists, but Enbridge says they're safe.
U.S. Coast Guard contingency preparedness specialist Steve Keck says the drill will be "huge," and will also evaluate Enbridge's Detroit-based contractor for spill response.