Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Residents urge DEP officials to halt pipeline construction
Most of more than 30 residents who testified strongly suggested to a pair of representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that work on the now-under-construction Sunoco Mariner East 2 pipeline be halted, during Monday’s two-hour public hearing.
Sunoco has requested that the DEP issue new permits in a bid to change the way the pipeline is constructed, including use of “open trench” digging.
Many in the audience of more than 225 at Peirce Middle School were concerned with the impact in Exton where homes, retail centers, wetlands, ballfields, older trees and the Chester County Library will all be impacted by construction.
Several noted the department’s mission statement, which reads, “Department of Environmental Protection’s mission is to protect Pennsylvania’s air, land and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment.”
Meadowbrook Manor resident Libby Madarasz said Sunoco has left a path of destruction.
The 1930s-era Mariner East 1 pipeline was temporarily shut down a little more than a month ago when sinkholes developed in West Whiteland. The now-under–construction Sunoco Mariner East 2 pipeline will follow much the same right-of-way from Marcellus shale sites in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, 350 miles to the former Marcus Hook Refinery in Delaware County.
West Whiteland resident Jerry McMullen said his bedroom is 35 feet from the pipeline. He said that Sunoco has not done its homework concerning the area’s geology.
“Sunoco does not understand our area or care about our area,” he said.
Fellow East Whiteland resident Annette Murray said the pipeline would disrupt the environment, including an osprey she recently watched snag a fish, or the eagles and blue herons she said find life in a mostly otherwise built up area.
Rebecca Britton, with the Uwchlan Safety Coalition, talked about illnesses spreading though public and private water wells and aquifers.
“It’s the worst-case siting route and a great threat to us all,” Britton said. She said the permits should have never been issued in the first place.
Stacey Lavelle, of Swedesford Chase, talked about known versus the unknown impacts.
“How do you know that something unexpected couldn’t happen?” she said. She then asked the DEP reps whether they would “be willing to bet your life on it?”
State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, asked whether DEP is “truly concerned.”
“Is DEP more interested in Sunoco completing the project?” Dinniman asked. “Yes, we can have pipelines and have them safe.
“You still have a chance at redemption. I hope you will do the right thing.”
Laura Obenski, of Exton, said that Sunoco, an operator who refuses to play by the rules, should not be trusted and not be able to self-police.
Three union members, including Paul Carey, of Operating Engineers Local 542, said the pipeline provides jobs and $9 billion in benefits for Pennsylvania.
Sarah Caspar talked about the karst foundation.
She said that if Sunoco performed a risk assessment or feasibility study, it did not look at the results or ignored them.
Christina Dijiulio (P.K.) asked if Sunoco’s scientist were comfortable with the science used.
East Goshen resident Bernie Greenberg said the risks outweigh the benefits to Pennsylvania residents.
“Now is the time to halt all construction before more harm is done,” Greenberg said.
The DEP will accept written comments until May 11 at PA Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands Program, 2 East Main St., Norristown PA 19401
Or email: RA-EPWWSERO@pa.gov.