Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Freedom Station) - Refined Product Pipeline in Chelsea, Michigan

Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Freedom Station) is a refined product pipeline facility located at 12433 Ellsworth Rd, Chelsea, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. The facility is operational and serves as part of the extensive pipeline infrastructure in the United States, specifically within the Great Lakes region. As a refined product pipeline, it transports petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and complies with DOT 49 CFR Part 195, which governs hazardous liquid pipelines. The NAICS code 486910 indicates it is a pipeline transportation of refined petroleum products. While specific technical specifications like length or capacity are not detailed, typical refined product pipelines in this region range from tens to hundreds of miles in length, with diameters varying based on throughput. Environmental and operational significance includes its role in supplying refined products to the Midwest region, supporting local economies and transportation networks. The facility's location in a rural area near Chelsea minimizes immediate population density risks, but proximity to waterways and agricultural land requires adherence to spill prevention and cathodic protection standards to ensure environmental safety.

The facility is situated in a rural area of Washtenaw County, Michigan, near agricultural land and small waterways. The region's glacial geology and high water table necessitate robust cathodic protection and leak detection systems to prevent groundwater contamination. The pipeline's commodity, refined petroleum products, poses spill risks that require compliance with PHMSA's integrity management programs. Seasonal freeze-thaw cycles in Michigan also demand careful monitoring of pipeline coatings and soil stability.