Posted on 12/14/2013 7:18:01 AM PST by rickmichaels
The small town of Superior, Wisconsin may emerge as an unlikely American maritime hub for Canadian crude if plans to transport Alberta oil sands oil across the Great Lakes come to pass.
There are many hurdles to cross. The first is a proposal to repair a shipping dock on Lake Superior that would set the stage for the construction of an oil terminal feeding refineries in and around the Great Lakes.
Superior-based Elkhorn Industries has applied for a permit to reconstruct 700 feet of dockwall with the Wisconsin Natural Resources Department, and the move has pricked the ears of those who believe it is the first step towards mass transportation of Canadian crude across the lakes that separate Ontario and several U.S. states.
(Excerpt) Read more at business.financialpost.com ...
You are no doubt aware that Embridge is building a new pipeline from N. Dakota to Superior. The Sandpiper line. On line in 2015 I think?
Good luck keeping Lake St. Clair dredged deep enough for the tankers, not to mention the Soo Locks bottleneck.
Thanks! That was great.
I was in High-school in November 1975. Although quite removed from Lake Superior, this wreck impacted all of Michigan given the connections to the (weakening) steel-industry, (flailing) auto-industry as well as our sudden realization of how dependent we were on the Lake-transport system.
My older brother, earlier that year (March 1975), had applied for his Longshoreman’s union card to work the lakes for summer employment. After the Fitz, that system ground to halt for over a year and he withdrew his application. (he would have been in Blue Lake sweeping floors, not on the Fitz, but it did resonate with him and among his co-horts waiting for their LS-card).
Later in life, when I got the opportunity to work in downtown Detroit (RenCen) for a few years, circa 1999, I’d go to the Maritime Cathedral every November 11, just to count the 29 bells. Typically, there about 100 folks in attendance on those early mornings (around 08:00).
I’m pretty sure the bells are still rung at 08:00 every 11NOV if you want to make the trip. It can be quite moving. (Crip?)
Most folks don’t realize the impact the Fitz’s demise had on the people of Michigan. Lightfoot just kept it alive. I youtube the song every year now.
Obama can control pipelines—but not Canada’s shipping lanes.
:: They used to have to get up a big head of steam and jump Niagara Falls. ::
I don’t care who you are, that right there, is FUNNY!
(Sac: The Sault Locks at the Straits of St. Mary are a must see when you are in the UP. Even better if you can visit them on a foggy morning in late spring.)
:: Good luck keeping Lake St. Clair dredged deep enough for the tankers ::
Quite possibly the greatest location for smallmouth bass fiashing in the world. Skegemog is equal or in second place.
Mike Rowe did a Dirty Jobs episode at the locks during early spring maintenance before they open for the season.
The Soo Webcams. Its USACE so you may need to allow it depending on your firewall settings.
https://webcam.crrel.usace.army.mil/soo/
Seems implausible to me too but apparently some bean counters see a profit in it.
I saw a story on the new Algoma bulk carriers. Very impressive.
There was an article here in the last few days talking about using rail to take Bakken crude to the East Coast, instead of to the south. The differential was on the order of $25 or $30 a bbl IIRC.
Compared to a real city of several millions, it is. I was up there in Summer visiting friends a few years ago. I enjoyed it quite well, but “sleepy small town” works for me.
One of the most ironically named towns in the country.
The Maritime Museum in Duluth covers the EF quite well. Worth going to see if you’re up that way.
Got to see an ore carrier come through the lift bridge into Superior Harbor when we were there. Impressive.
The Museum at Whitefish point is one to see. Its also a great place to gain an understanding of the bizarre weather in the area.
Last time I was up there it was 80 degrees without a cloud in the sky. Within a quarter mile of the lake the temperature dropped 20 degrees or more with super dense fog.
Moving crude oil by tank car sucks up quite a bit of the ND crude netback.
Yeah, like momma bear protective of our lakes. LOL Thing is, see today for reference, the weather is VERY unpredictable on the lakes.
(even though I think the commies in D.C. have already sold them to the highest bidder—but that’s a conspiracy theory for another time.)
Shoot, now I have to go listen to that song. I was also in high school in November 1975.
I hadn’t realized how much the Lakes were still used for transport, thought them to be more touristy.
All true. But there was a time when a 28-foot draft was probably sufficient to accommodate the ships that were in use for much of the history of North America. I believe the current configuration of the St. Lawrence Seaway dates back to 1959.
Wife and I plus another couple sailed out of Two Harbors on July 4th some years back. It was nearly 80 on shore. 20 miles out, it was 50 degrees.
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