‘I have never been so freaked out’
Officials talk pipeline safety with Thornbury residents
THORNBURY » The supervisors gathered a panel of local and county first responders and Sunoco Pipeline representatives Tuesday night for special informational meeting on pipeline safety and emergency preparedness. More than 60 residents filled the library at the Glen Mills School for the two-hour plus Q&A regarding Mariner East 2.
“We want to get in front of this,” said Chairman Jim Raith. “There will be follow-up meetings.”
Spanning Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, Mariner 2 is a 350-mile pipeline system which would bring natural gas liquids such as propane, ethane and butane to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex. Approximately 11.4 miles would be installed in Delaware County across private and public property in the township, Edgmont, Middletown, Aston and Upper Chichester, ending at the facility.
Officers of the Chester Heights, Concordville and Edgmont fire companies noted their members have received similar hazmat and pipeline training and are outfitted with the necessary equipment. They stressed their number-one priority in any incident is life safety.
The role of the county is to support and coordinate the actions of the individual municipalities, said Delaware County Emergency Management Deputy Director Larry Bak. He noted the county has thousands of miles of gas pipelines, including the four companies transporting through the township, adding his office “is in constant preparedness mode.”
“Pipelines are the safest means of transportation,” he said. “If not, the materials would be transported by train or truck and neither of them is as safe.”
The pipeline is being installed using horizontal-directional drilling, such as the method at routes 352 and 926, and trench drilling along Route 352. Once operational, the pressure and flow will be monitored 24/7 through a staffed, unified control center with a computerized leak detector capable of shutting off the valves, said Sunoco Project Director Matt Gordon.
While they repeatedly applauded the efforts of their local first responders, those in the audience were not placated by the panel’s assurances and expressed concerns about all facets of the operation. They noted issues with drilling, such as the bentonite spills in Brookhaven and Middletown. Individuals whose homes served by private wells questioned the potential damage to aquifers similar to Uwchlan and West Whiteland and the impact on wells within a five-mile radius.
Those at the microphone also asked about the hazardous nature of the materials and pressure at which they will be conveyed, potential leaks, consequences of a large release, lack of sufficient data, environmental issues and effect on property taxes.
Jennifer Berlinger, who was raised near Limerick, segued between the issues, noting the noise of the installation will be followed by the potential of an odorless, noiseless, invisible escape.
“I’ll have 440 days of listening to drilling from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.,” she said. “When it’s finished, there will be no warning – how will I know if there is a leak?”
Others noted they are taking the risk without the proverbial reward.
“I have never been so freaked out,” said Maxine Mangus. “This is no ordinary pipeline and what it will carry will be shipped to make plastics overseas.”
Sunoco representatives provided answers to a number of questions, such as noting the gasses are expected to travel at a pressure of approximately 440 pounds per square inch compared to the 1,440 near Harrisburg, and reiterated the valves can be turned off automatically in the event of a leak. Charlie Stewart, director of pipeline operations, said the main issue for him, however, is thirdparty damage.
“That’s what keeps me up at night – contractors digging without first dialing PA One Call,” he added. “The result could be them possibly hitting our pipeline.”
Residents were offered handouts from Sunoco and Delaware County Emergency Services. Information is also available on the township website and additional questions may be emailed to Raith at jim@thornbury.org.