Latest twists in path of Mariner East 2

Mariner East 2 pipeline has been delayed, but it has not been halted. It does not appear as if it will be.

This was probably not the news that opponents of the Mariner East 2 pipeline wanted to hear.

But it was probably the one they expected.

First, the findings from a risk assessment on Sunoco’s multibillion project to ship volatile liquid gases from the state’s Marcellus Shale regions across the entire width of Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook was released.

The study, which was paid for largely by private donations raised by the citizens group Del-Chesco United, was performed by Quest Consultants of Norman, Okla. It underscored the same kinds of concerns that have been raised by pipeline foes for months.

Specifically, it warned that in the case of a leak of hazardous, highly volatile liquids for the proposed 20-inch pipeline could extend up to 2,135 feet away from the site of the leak or rupture.

That reinforces one of the loudest complaints of pipeline foes, who question the notion of sending such volatile liquids through densely populated neighborhoods in Delaware and Chester counties.

Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 pipeline will ship hundreds of thousands of barrels of ethane, butane and propane every day more than 300 miles across Pennsylvania, including 23 miles through the heart of Chester County.

Sunoco has consistently vowed to construct and operate the pipeline to the highest safety standards of the industry. They have gained support from local municipal and county officials, labor unions and the chamber of commerce, who tout the jobs and economic benefits of the project.

Reacting to growing citizen concerns, Delaware County Council recently agreed to undertake its own risk assessment analysis.

The project has faced a number of delays, many centered around leaks and runoff problems. Most have been characterized by the company as routine pipeline construction features, but a problem with sinkholes in West Whiteland that actually exposed the old existing Mariner East 1 pipeline led to the state halting construction.

All of that has delayed the completion of the entire 20inch Mariner East 2 project.

However, it will not stop the company from putting the pipeline online. They vow that Mariner East 2 will come online “shortly.” In order to do that, the company will fill in areas where the 20-inch pipe has yet to be installed with an 80-yearold existing 12-inch pipeline.

Company spokesman Lisa Dillinger said work to bypass the areas where the 20-inch line is incomplete is progressing according to schedule.

“As stated on our Q3 earnings call in August, the upcoming in-service of ME2 will include use of our 12-inch line, as well as a portion of our 16inch,” Dillenger said.

The company has been stressing for months that the Mariner East 2 project is more than 95 percent complete and will be online soon.

“I would like to clarify that there has been no change to our timeline,” Dillinger said in response to what appeared to be new delays. “It will be in service as soon as it is mechanically complete, which is expected to be in a few weeks.”

Clearly, they missed the September 2018 date to put ME2 online. Now they plan to use this somewhat patchwork approach to get materials flowing through ME2.

What they also have been unable to do is assuage the growing concerns of residents who now have Mariner East as their new neighbor, in some instances in their back yards.

Those tensions will not be eased by findings in the latest risk assessment that the use of the older pipe to fill in spots along ME2 only increases the potential for problems.

Residents and elected officials have pleaded for months with Gov. Tom Wolf and the state Public Utility Commission to at least address their concerns, if not shut the project down.

Mariner East 2 has been delayed, but it has not been halted. It does not appear as if it will be.

In the meantime, we await the results of the risk assessment by Delaware County.But by that time, Mariner East 2 may already be pushing highly volatile liquids through neighborhoods.

Community concerns have only been exacerbated by news that Sunoco will be substituting the older, smaller pipe in areas where the 20-inch line has not yet been installed.

Perhaps it is time, finally, for the company and elected officials to properly address them.