Great Lakes Oil Spill Center of Expertise (GLCOE)
Mission
The Great Lakes region is a uniquely challenging environment for oil-spill preparedness and response. The activities of the GLCOE aim to provide responders with innovative tools, cutting-edge strategies, and advanced training to support a safe Marine Transportation System in the Great Lakes region and strengthen America’s energy security. Congress mandated that the U.S. Coast Guard establish the Great Lakes Oil Spill Center of Expertise (GLCOE) through Section 807 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-282).
Purpose
The GLCOE’s purpose is to operationalize innovative ideas that improve freshwater and icy water oil spill responses.
Location
1. Lake Superior State University – Sault Ste. Marie, MI
i. Proximity to critical crude oil transportation infrastructure in the Great Lakes, such as submerged pipelines and high-traffic navigation locks
ii. An institution of higher education with adequate aquatic research facilities, capabilities, and expertise in Great Lakes aquatic ecology, environmental chemistry, fish and wildlife, and water resources
iii. Center for Freshwater Research and Education; open to public
2. NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory – Ann Arbor, MI
Hosts key partners within the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research – CIGLR
a. 10 universities, 2 NGOs, and 3 businesses
b. Lead Collaborator – University of Michigan