Howard asks officials to probe pipelines

MALVERN >> The state legislator whose district includes areas that have been beset by problems involving a controversial natural gas pipeline has asked that two Harrisburg officials open separate investigations into the pipeline.

State Rep. Kristine Howard, R-167th, of Willistown in a press release dated Jan. 24 called on state Attorney General Josh Shapiro and state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to open the inquiries into the Mariner East 1 and Mariner East 2 pipelines, which bring natural gas from the interior of Pennsylvania to ports in Chester, Delaware County. The East 1 pipeline has been operational for decades, while the East 2 pipeline is under constriction.

Howard, a Democrat who was elected in November, ousting former state Rep. Duane Milne, said she wants Shapiro’s office to investigate the pipeline’s owners for possible criminal charges, and for DePasquale to audit the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Department of Environmental Protections (DEP).

Her release did not specify what crimes may have been committed by the pipelines owners or operators, or what financial irregularities the PUC or DEP may have committed in their oversight of the pipelines. The Chester County District Attorney’s Office is currently investigating the pipeline question with a grand jury.

Howard said her actions were spurred by the opening of a large sinkhole in a residential area of West Whiteland on Jan. 20, which exposed the Mariner East 1 pipeline. This is the latest in a series of pipeline-related incidents in the highdensity area, including numerous other sinkholes and complaints of tainted well water.

The area’s limestone geology is a large factor in the appearance of sinkholes, and many critics have noted the unsuitability of the area for pipeline development.

“Both Sunoco and the PUC were quick to claim there was no danger to the neighborhood,” Howard said. “But the stark fact remains – this is not the first time this issue has occurred. Nor the second. Nor the third. Something needs to change, and that is why I have called on the Attorney General and the Auditor General to provide greater scrutiny and accountability for this major public safety concern.”

Both Shapiro and DePasquale are Democrats.

The 167th district includes parts of Charlestown, East Whiteland, Easttown, West Pikeland, West Whiteland, and Willistown, as well as Malvern.