ENVIRONMENT Group urges Berks D.A. should follow Chester County’s lead

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan recently announced that his office would conduct a criminal investigation into Sunoco/Energy Transfer’s controversial Mariner East Pipeline.

Hogan stated, “In the last two years, we have seen these pipelines rip through the heart of Chester County. We have seen sinkholes created by the pipeline drilling, contaminated well water, and some subtle and notso-subtle bullying of Chester County citizens by big corporate interests. We expected the state regulators and the governor to step in and assure the safety of Pennsylvanians. They have not. So now the Chester County District Attorney’s Office will demand that every aspect of these pipelines be conducted safely, or we will bring into play all of the tools of the criminal justice system.”

An advocacy group would like the Berks County District Attorney to follow Hogan’s lead.

“We are grateful that District Attorney Hogan has acted where our regulators and governor have failed to act to protect the health, safety, and property of people affected by the Mariner East pipelines. Berks County has not been immune to the damage. In fact, the Public Utility Commission’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement issued a formal complaint last Thursday citing statewide concerns about the pipeline based on a leak on the Mariner East 1 pipeline in Berks County last year. Meanwhile, Mariner East 2 construction has damaged private water supplies and has exposed Berks County residents to the bullying behavior of the company and its associates, most recently evidenced by the threat of legal action against property owners regarding mechanic’s liens. The Berks County District Attorney John Adams should consider taking similar action,” said Karen Feridun, Founder, Berks Gas Truth.