State rep calls for freeze on pipeline construction
Wells of more than 30 West Whiteland residences were effected by horizontal directional drilling
WEST WHITELAND » State Rep. Duane Milne, R-167, is calling for a “complete reboot” of the Sunoco Mariner East 2 pipeline.
Milne wants Sunoco to immediately and voluntarily pause construction due to pipeline-associated issues and problems.
The wells of more than 30 West Whiteland residences were effected by horizontal directional drilling. In turn, Sunoco picked up the tab to connect residents to public water providers and paid each household $60,000 to pay for future water bills.
Sunoco has also spilled drilling fluid more than 80 times.
Also in Milnes’ district, Sunoco is considering changing from HDD to open trench burial of the pipe.
If trench construction in West Whiteland was used, a creek would need to be dammed and diverted within feet of the Chester County Library.
“There has to be time to address ongoing issue and concerns,” Milne said. “There is a complete lack of confidence.
“I don’t think the company could have seen the hydraulic issues impacting the water utilities. We can’t move forward as is.”
Jeff Shields, Sunoco Pipeline communications manager, responded to Milne’s comments.
“The Mariner East 2 project has undergone unprecedented environmental review, and our permit conditions include extensive requirements to protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources,” Shields wrote in a Friday news release. “We will continue to work with the DEP to ensure that our construction continues to be in accordance with our agreement before the Environmental Hearing Board.
“The construction of the Mariner East pipeline has been transparent, deliberate, and subject to the strictest environmental standards in the country. We are committed to working to those standards every day.”
Milne suggested that Sunoco would realize a public relations benefit with a pause, and citizens would applaud.
He compared the issue to “short term, versus long term viability.
“The residents feel they are done trying to be reasonable and accommodating. There is a great sense of non-confidence.”
Milne is opposed to a recent Sunoco change of plans to dig using open trench construction in West Whiteland.
“This last minute switch needs a full public vetting,” he said. “Perhaps the public will have a chance to examine and get a chance to understand it.”
Milne is looking ahead. He represents West Whiteland, East Whiteland, West Pikeland, Charlestown , Easttown and Willistown townships and the Borough of Malvern.
Milne said that new pipeline construction is following right of way designed for pipelines built decades ago.
“We need to rethink all these pipelines in the developed part of Chester County,” he said.
Milne said that pipelines built decades ago passed through farmer’s fields that since then have been developed.
2017 Chester not the Chester 1950, he said.
The representative said that changes might not be “feasible” for the Mariner East 2 pipeline, but could have an impact on future projects.
The Sunoco Mariner East 2 pipeline would snake 350 miles from Marcellus Shale deposits in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania to the former Sunoco Refinery in Marcus Hook, Delaware County.
It is designed to carry highly volatile liquids, ethane, propane and butane, while passing feet away from senior care centers, schools and churches. County County is of