The Michigan Public Service Commission is expected Friday to decide whether to approve a controversial gasoline pipeline along Interstate 96 - a project some Lansing residents and officials say could endanger area groundwater.

The Wolverine Pipeline Co. wants to build a $40-million, 26-mile pipeline from Stockbridge to the north side of Lansing to replace a 65-year-old line that goes through Meridian Township and East Lansing. Company officials say the new pipeline would be larger and include more safety features.

Wolverine has met all the requirements set by public service commission advisers, and company executives have remained confident of the project’s approval, company spokesman Tom Shields said. He said the commission often approves projects its advisers already have OK’d.

“(The commissioners) have the power to look at everything, and we are certainly hopeful they will,” Shields said.

But even if the three commissioners approve the pipeline, the company still needs a permit from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and consent from several local communities.

John Skubinna, an environmental quality analyst for the department, said the permit to build through Michigan wetlands is being reviewed. He said the department is waiting for the company to answer requests for more information.

Shields said only two of the six affected townships have approved of the project. Some are waiting for commission to approve, he said. The project also needs the OK from one city -