LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The safety and welfare of my constituents and all Pennsylvanians is my primary concern as a state representative and I am sure you share this concern. It is with this concern in mind that I write to you regarding Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 pipeline, which will carry natural gas products through southeastern Pennsylvania and directly through my legislative district.
While this pipeline has the potential to bring good-paying jobs, cheaper energy and economic benefit to the Commonwealth, this can only be accomplished if the construction is properly completed and the oversight is rigorous – both during construction and beyond for the life of the pipeline. I have met with many residents who have grave concerns over their safety and well-being surrounding the construction and operation of the pipeline. The regulatory responsibility for the pipeline lies with you and your administration, and that is why I am bringing these concerns directly to your attention.
I am grateful that you have honored my request to meet with residents from my district. I remain hopeful that more can be done than simply hear their concerns.
Specifically, many constituents have asked that a new, DEP-led risk assessment concerning the likelihood and potential impact of a leak from the pipeline be conducted and released to the public. I echo these calls for a risk assessment and implore your administration to conduct it forthwith. Such an assessment must be made public upon completion as our residents have every right to know just how safe, or unsafe, their neighborhoods are as a result of this project. Mariner East 2 is slated to run directly adjacent to Glenwood Elementary School, which is in my district, and there are serious concerns about the welfare of the children if a leak or other disaster were to occur because of the pipeline. This is further proof for the need of a risk assessment, because if the assessment shows a severe risk to the students or other residents in the case of disaster, then the viability of the project must be seriously examined or moving the school may be necessary. The process of moving, if deemed necessary, must begin as soon as possible to ensure the safety of our most valuable resource – our children.
Please work quickly and efficiently to begin a risk assessment that can make clear the potential threats that my constituents and neighbors face. I look forward to hearing from you on this issue and working with you to complete a timely risk assessment.