Read Up: Great Articles On Kalamazoo Oil Spill
In July 2010, the Kalamazoo Oil Spill became one of the worst oil spills to ever hit the midwestern United States. Due to the disaster spilling not only crude oil but diluted bitumen, which is a concentrated form of tar sands oil, many have said it is an ever-increasing eventuality for the region if the Keystone XL Pipeline is built.
The following series of articles represent some of the best coverage on the details of this disaster.
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"When This Oil Spills, It's 'A Whole New Monster'"
By Elizabeth Shogren, NPR
Two years later, the controversy surrounding the Kalamazoo Oil Spill bleeds into the debate regarding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Shogren's report also explores the cleanup techniques used during the spill.
"A Dilbit Primer: How It's Different Than Conventional Oil"
By Lisa Song, InsideClimate News
The oil spilled in Kalamazoo was different than regular crude oil. This report explores what makes diluted bitumen toxic and hard to clean. For more about this kind of oil - and how it contributed to the largest spill you've never heard of, check out InsideClimate News' three-part series on the issue (also available as an e-book).
"Unanswered Questions About Kalamazoo River Oil Spill"
By Editorial Board, Kalamazoo Gazette
This editorial by the Kalamazoo Gazette explores questions that still remained unanswered nearly a year after the spill. The board questions an overall lack of legislative action or regulatory effort, especially in light of other spills occurring around the U.S.
"Gallery: Kalamazoo River Oil Spill Clean Up"
By Jonathon Gruenke, Kalamazoo Gazette
These photos from the Kalamazoo Gazette document a bird's eye view of the spill's aftermath, along with its not-so-clean cleanup.
By Fritz Klug, MLive/Kalamazoo
In a report released by the National Pipeline Safety Board, the canadian pipeline company apparently knew there were cracks in the pipeline but did little to prevent disaster. Enbridge was eventually fined $3.7 million for the spill.
