EPA: Enbridge has until Tuesday to stop Chicago-area oil leak, crews closing in on source

EPA: Enbridge has until Tue. to stop Ill. oil leak

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — A federal official says Enbridge Energy Partners has until noon Tuesday to stop a leak from a Chicago-area oil pipeline.

Sam Borries, on-scene coordinator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said Sunday that he misspoke earlier in saying Enbridge was ordered to stop the leak by Monday.

Borries says crews are “actively excavating” along the pipe in Romeoville and believe they’re closing in on the leak’s source. He says it appears the company will make the deadline for stopping the flow. Consequences for not doing so vary and ultimately could result in the EPA taking over on site.

Nearly 200 workers have been at the site 24 hours a day since the leak was discovered Thursday.

Borries estimates 7,000 barrels of water and oil have been recovered so far.