Citizens urge Wolf to take action against pipeline
WEST WHITELAND » About 30 speakers pleaded with Gov. Tom Wolf to change his ways and put a stop to the Sunoco Mariner East 2 pipeline, during a DelChesco United for Pipeline Safety citizen’s public hearing, at the township building on Thursday.
The venue was changed to accommodate what was a standing-room only audience of more than 150 concerned citizens from all over the state.
The event highlighted what many said was Wolf’s lack of respect for the health, safety and welfare of Pennsylvania residents during pipeline construction, and when and if, highly volatile fuels are pumped through the pipeline stretching 350 miles from Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania to the former Marcus Hook Refinery in Delaware County.
Speakers presented testimony as part of an “investigation” concerning whether or not Wolf has violated his oath of office by pushing through Sunoco Pipeline’s “dangerous” pipeline project. A panel of representatives from several counties listened intently and will make a decision at a future date.
Rebecca Britton lives in Uwchlan and said she thought she was living the American Dream.
“Put people over partisan politics and the big money,” Britton said. “Gov. Wolf, look deep within yourself.”
Susan Britton-Seyler said that the governor, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Commission are violating the state Constitution.
“They’ve decided that a blast zone in Exton, Pennsylvania is acceptable,” she said.
She then asked public officials to embrace clean, renewable energy.
“Fracking and pipelines are a threat to the health, safety, air and soil,” BrittonSeyler said. “Empty promises are not acceptable.”
Ann Pinca, of North Lebanon Township, said, “our government has failed us.”
Moderator Caroline Hughes asked the speakers and audience to “stand united” concerning the “recklessly proposed project,” when faced with “wellfounded concerns.”
Several speakers, including Hughes, said the governor and legislators have not assessed the risks and funded, or pushed for, an independent risk assessment.
On March 20, a group of impacted residents approached the governor’s office. They were turned away at a locked door by capitol police. They wanted to ask Wolf to attend Thursday’s meeting.
“He is absent tonight and has been for this entire project,” Hughes said about Wolf.
“My dream is rapidly becoming a nightmare,” said Marcia Gentry, of Meadowbrook Manor, West Whiteland. “We need an impartial assessment.”
Carrie Gross, of Uwchlan Township, said the pipeline project has drastically changed her view on government.
“Gov. Wolf, wake up and put the people of Pennsylvania first,” Gross said.
Denise McCarthy, of Glen Mills, said she is afraid of the pipelines if they become operational.
“My rep should be standing up for us … and try to put a stop to this,” McCarthy said. “We are all in pursuit of the American Dream.”
Tim Spiese is a member of Lancaster Against Pipelines.
“Clean air and clean water are the sanctity of your home and community,” he said. “Help to light a fire of change that they can’t extinguish.” Jennifer Berlinger lives in the Andover at the intersection of Routes 352 and 926 in Edgmont, Delaware County, and wonders how she will ever sell her home, her family’s biggest investment.
“This is our property, we did not want to sell, they just stole it,” Berlinger said.
P.K. is a Chester County resident and referred to Sunoco employees as “cowboy scientists.”
“This is science, objective stuff, you don’t mess with that,” P.K. said. “I’m appalled by this.
“I can’t grasp it. There’s no logic to this at all.”
West Goshen resident Tom Casey said that the topic was not solely a Democratic or Republican issue.
“I’m tired of our government officials forgetting who put them there,” Casey said.
Several speakers, like Bill Wardle of West Whiteland, referred to Sunoco as “liars.”
Like many others at the event, he said he was told by Sunoco, “You won’t see it, you won’t hear it and you won’t even know we’re here.”
“We were blatantly lied to, and a government looking the other way is not living up to its obligations,” Wardle said.
Middletown, Delaware County resident Eric Friedman said he hoped the governor would be found guilty by the panel. He talked dollars and cents.
“Sunoco’s recklessly proposed pipeline project … is an overall economic harm to Chester and Delaware counties,” Friedman said. “It’s dishonest to assume an economic benefit.”
Eve Miari, of the Middletown Coalition for Public Safety, told the large audience that Wolf would be held accountable during the fall election for governor.
“He will hear our voices now, or he will hear us in November,” she said.