Daily Times (Primos, PA)

Vow

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was suspended in July by the Public Utility Commission, Sunoco simply dropped plans to build a safety valve in the township. Constructi­on was then allowed to resume.

West Goshen Supervisor Chris Pielli said the township will continue to fight a legal battle and called Sunoco’s actions brazen.

“We don’t know where the safety valve is going to be,” Pielli said. “We’re always concerned for the health, safety and welfare of citizens.

“Give us the valves you promised,” Pielli urged Sunoco Pipeline. “If you really do care about safety, do the right thing.”

Alex Bomstein, senior litigation attorney for Clean Air Council, said his group is appealing pipeline permits based on environmen­tal protection regulation­s and statutes by the Environmen­tal Hearing Board.

“The Department of Environmen­tal Protection knew at the time that the pipeline posed a danger when they issued the Bomstein said.

Del-Chesco United permits.” released

the following statement on Friday: “Gov. Tom Wolf’s Department of Environmen­tal Protection on Jan. 3, 2018, suspended all of the permits it issued to Sunoco, citing a pattern of repeated, ‘egregious and willful violations’ and ‘Sunoco’s lack of ability or intention to comply.’

“On Feb. 8, 2018, Gov. Wolf’s DEP lifted the suspension based on a deal that was struck behind closed doors with zero public input. Gov. Wolf’s timing is poor, because the same day, the federal government released two more serious enforcemen­t actions of its own against Sunoco for continued violations of safety regulation­s.

“In one of these, the government alleges that Sunoco failed to properly inspect valve sites on 90 separate occasions. The trivial fine Gov. Wolf negotiated with Sunoco does nothing to address the public safety risks posed by an operator like Sunoco. Del-Chesco United for Pipeline Safety is disappoint­ed that Gov. Wolf continues to prioritize the interests of Sunoco over those of the children, seniors and hard-working property owners of Pennsylvan­ia.”

Sunoco Pipeline Communicat­ions Manager Jeff Shields issued the following statement:

“Regarding constructi­on, right now our focus is bringing together our constructi­on crews to review the terms of the Consent Order and Agreement so that every person who works on this project is familiar with new conditions, requiremen­ts and expectatio­ns of the Pa. DEP and our company. Once this has been completed we will begin work. Protecting our communitie­s, workers and the environmen­t take precedent during constructi­on, and we will continue our focus on these areas in strict compliance with our permits.”

 ?? DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO ?? A bentonite spill at the Mariner East 2 pipeline project in Middletown muddied the waters of Chester Creek behind the Tunbridge apartments last July.
DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO A bentonite spill at the Mariner East 2 pipeline project in Middletown muddied the waters of Chester Creek behind the Tunbridge apartments last July.

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