Injunction against pipeline work lifted in West Goshen

WEST GOSHEN » The final link in the proposed 350-mile Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline was re-established by the state Public Utility Commission Thursday.

With a 3-2 vote, the PUC allowed Sunoco to restart construction of a one-mile section in the township. Construction had been halted by an October injunction.

The township and Sunoco have squabbled since a 2015 settlement agreement. The township maintains that 2015 agreement suggested that an above ground safety valve be placed on the west side of Route 202 at Boot Road, while the company favored a site on the east side of the road.

Until Thursday, the PUC agreed with the township.

This summer, Sunoco cleared ground with the likely intent to drill from, and build a safety valve at, the east side of Route 202, at Greenhill and Boot roads, near the West Goshen Fire Station.

Sunoco told the PUC in November that it had changed plans and would not build a safety valve in the township. After hearing that news, the PUC voted to allow drilling in the township.

“(Sunoco wanted to build the safety valve at a) different location and we filed a complaint to enforce the settlement agreement,” said Rich Sokorai, of law firm High Swartz LLP, which represents the township.

“We still have a case going to be heard early next year, but we do not have an injunction.”

Sokarai said he doesn’t know whether Sunoco plans to build a safety valve in the township.

“We don’t know what their plan is – it’s one of our concerns – is Sunoco simply saying they’re not going to put a valve in?” Sokorai said. “I don’t know if they have a plan.”

Jeff Shields, Sunoco Pipeline communications manager, said that Sunoco was pleased with the PUC ruling.

“Our engineering analysis determined that a valve was not required at the West Goshen site and the change would not impact operations or safety,” Shields said. “We do not anticipate adding another valve site.”

Shields said that Sunoco staffers had been hard at work.

“With mainline pipeline

construction approximately 91 percent complete and horizontal directional drilling more than 62 percent complete on the Mariner East 2 across the state, we look forward to finishing this critical infrastructure project safely and responsibly,” Shields said about pipeline construction that is behind schedule.

West Goshen activist Tom Casey has fought pipeline construction for several years. He disagrees with Shields.

Casey talked about a sinkhole, approximately 6 feet wide, that recently developed in West Whiteland Township. He also noted that hundreds of frack-outs, or discharges, associated with pipeline construction, had occurred statewide.

“Sunoco has demonstrated its inability to do this project safely and responsibly as it has caused approximately 300 ‘frackouts’ which negatively impact creeks and streams,” Casey said. “And let’s not forget the joyous early Christmas present (a West Whiteland Township resident) received of a giant sinkhole in his backyard!

“Responsibility is not a word I would use to describe

this project. Maybe more like ill-advised, or illthought would be better termed.”

Civic group Del-Chesco United for Public Safety responded with a press release asking for Gov. Wolf to halt construction: “DelChesco United for Pipeline Safety is alarmed by yesterday’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) decision to simply accept Sunoco’s elimination of a block valve, and to allow construction operations to resume without it. The elimination of this valve increases the already unacceptable public safety risks of Sunoco’s troubled hazardous, highly volatile liquids export project.

“Schools, senior living facilities, residential subdivisions and houses of worship across Pennsylvania are in the blast zone of Sunoco’s recklessly conceived project. Yesterday’s decision demonstrates that the PUC is unable, unwilling, or both, to take meaningful action in the interest of public safety. Gov. Wolf’s assertion that he will leave it to the PUC to assess the public safety risk is unacceptable. Del-Chesco United reiterates its request to Gov. Wolf: Use your authority to halt pipeline construction and publicly assess the risk. It’s time for Gov. Wolf to choose whose side he is on.”

“Yesterday’s decision demonstrates that the PUC is unable, unwilling, or both, to take meaningful action in the interest of public safety. Gov. Wolf’s assertion that he will leave it to the PUC to assess the public safety risk is unacceptable..” — Statement from civic group Del-Chesco United for Public Safety