Sunoco defends safety of Mariner East 2 pipeline
MIDDLETOWN » Sunoco Pipeline is standing by its work regarding the Mariner East 2 pipeline as thousands of Pennsylvanians have added their names to a letter calling on state legislators to halt construction of the project.
The online correspondence, dated Wednesday, was posted in the wake of revelations that numerous bentonite spills, a non-toxic compound used in horizontal directional drilling, occurred between April and June. Questions have also arisen regarding the water obstruction and encroachment permits issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“Sunoco’s obvious incompetence to carry out horizontal directional drilling operations, even under the glare of the spotlight shining on it after the damage it did in West Whiteland Township (involving underground water supplies feeding aquifers), heightens the need to act swiftly and halt their construction activities before they do additional damage,” the letter states. “We are also disturbed that DEP issued the 105 and 102 permits even though the company had not been able to address all of the hundreds of deficiencies cited by the agency over the course of a years-long application process.”
The letter is endorsed by the Andover Homeowners’ Association (Thornbury, Delaware County), Berks Gas Truth, Concerned Citizens of Lebanon County, the Middletown Coalition for Community Safety, Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Pennsylvania Earth Guardians and Uwchlan Safety Coalition. It has been signed by residents representing 33 of the state’s 67 counties.
Several legislators have already asked for an immediate moratorium until DEP can ensure proper safeguards are in place to protect the safety and property of local residents. State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19 of West Whiteland, called for the halt after the West Whiteland incident, followed by state Representatives Carolyn Comitta, D-156 of West Chester, Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-161 of Swarthmore, and Chris Quinn, R-168 of Edgmont, in light of spills in Brookhaven and the township. The letter signers are asking all legislators, whether or not they represent an impacted area, to join their colleagues.
The correspondence came a day after the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board granted the petition of Clean Air Council, Mountain Watershed Association, Inc. and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network to halt all drilling operations associated with pipeline construction. The groups, which released DEP documents detailing more than 61 spills reported by Sunoco during construction activities, are slated to argue their case before the board Aug. 7.
The full hearing “will demonstrate that we have expended every effort to meet the strict conditions of our environmental permits,” said Sunoco Pipeline Communications Manager Jeff Shields.
“We are continually evaluating our drilling plans and had already voluntarily suspended work on a number of our drills while working to ensure that the concerns outlined by the DEP and Gov. Wolf were addressed,” he wrote in an email. “In the meantime, we will continue non-horizontal directional drilling construction throughout the state, including open-trench construction as well as conventional road boring, with the safety and protection of Pennsylvania’s environment as our first priorities.”
Shields also responded to concerns expressed at Monday night’s Middletown council meeting, which was attended by more than 75 residents. In addition to fears about the bentonite spill and possible damage to private wells, they spoke about clear-cutting trees, water flooding across private property, the noise associated with the project and difficulty contacting DEP to register complaints. Many also felt ill-informed about the scope of the work.
“We have been in constant contact with the township and landowners directly along the route about construction and have discussed construction impacts at township meetings, countywide open houses and with residents for the past two-plus years,” he said. “All landowners on the pipeline construction right-of-way were notified in February that construction was beginning and followed up with phone calls or personal visits.”
Shields added the company is “sensitive to construction impacts” and has maintained a 24-hour hotline to receive and respond quickly to address complaints or concerns. The number is 855-430-4491.
“While we understand there will be some temporary impacts during construction, we are committed and required to restore the right-of-way and temporary work space, including the replanting of trees and other vegetation,” he said.