Why is Sunoco pipeline a public utility?

To the Times: At the last Middletown Township meeting, I spoke for a few minutes. I questioned why Sunoco is allowed to enjoy the privilege of acting as a public utility with regard to the Mariner East Pipeline 2, based on the company having been granted that status for the ME1 pipeline, which was very different from the pipeline currently under construction.

Given the impropriety of grandfathering Sunoco with public utility status for ME2, I asked, first, what measures can be taken to nullify that status, and second, why shouldn’t Middletown Township rescind the easements that were granted to Sunoco.

Given Sunoco’s fraudulent obtaining Public Utility status for ME2, and the very serious risks to our community from this pipeline, I think that revoking the easements is certainly warranted. When I raised this point, the audience applauded; council members were stone-faced, and the only response was a typically obfuscatory non-responsive statement by a council member.

Council’s continued ignoring our very serious concerns — poisoning our water, the high risk of a leak of toxic and explosive substances, lowering property values — is unacceptable. As we residents continue to express our fear about the risks posed by ME2, work on it is allowed to continue.

I think the most important issue is not whether these arrogant public officials should be re-elected, though that’s certainly a concern; what is essential is that work on the pipeline stop. Allowing its construction to continue will present us with a fait accompli, at which point it will be much more difficult to halt this clear and present danger to our well-being. Arnie Schwartz,

Middletown