PUC To Vote March 15 On Whether To Ratify Order Suspending Operations Of Mariner East 1 Pipeline

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday offered additional information to clarify the procedures surrounding a March 7 Emergency Order suspending operations of the Mariner East 1 Pipeline (ME1).

The Emergency Order requires additional testing and analysis on ME1, in response to safety concerns regarding the integrity of that pipeline which were raised by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement – which includes the PUC’s Pipeline Safety Division.

In response to questions raised by concerned citizens, legislators, the media and others following this case, the Commission noted several key points:

-- At its March 15 Public Meeting, the Commission will vote on ratifying the Emergency Order regarding Sunoco Pipeline L.P., which was authorized on Wednesday, March 7.

-- PUC procedural regulations require any Emergency Order be placed on the agenda of the Commission’s next public meeting for a ratification vote.

-- This is a ratification vote and not a public hearing. No public testimony will be taken at the March 15 public meeting, on the Emergency Order or any other agenda item.

-- The March 15 meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the PUC’s website. The PUC also routinely posts video of the public meetings following the meetings.

-- This matter remains an active and ongoing investigation by the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement.

-- Future actions by the Commission will be contingent upon whether and how the terms and conditions of the Emergency Order are satisfied.

-- Any reinstatement of service will require formal action by the Commission, at which time the Commission will outline the process for addressing those matters.

-- Any additional public documents will be posted to the PUC’s online docket for this case – P-2018-3000281.
The PUC meets in Hearing Room 1 of the Keystone Building in Harrisburg starting at 10:00.  Click Here to watch the meeting online.

For more information on the pipeline safety program, visit the PUC’s Pipeline Safety webpage.