StateImpact Wednesday reported the Public Utility Commission Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement has requested an emergency order be issued to Sunoco to shutdown operations of the Mariner East 1 Pipeline has a result of sinkholes near the pipeline in Chester County at three locations.
The Mariner East 1 Pipeline carries explosive and hazardous natural gas liquids under high pressure across almost the entire state. It is on the same rights-of-way Sunoco is now constructing two more pipelines under the Mariner East 2 Pipeline.
In the request for the order, Bureau staff said sinkholes started forming on December 7, followed by two more on March 1 and 3. The Bureau said Sunoco failed to notify the PUC or the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and their impact on the Mariner East 1 Pipeline.
On March 5 PUC Safety Engineers and an engineer from the PHMSA inspected the area and discovered additional sinkholes were developing in the area of Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.
The Bureau requests an emergency order requiring Sunoco to--
-- Immediately suspend operations of its Mariner East 1 Pipeline until the completion of repairs to the PUC’s satisfaction;
-- Perform necessary geo-physical tests on the Mariner East 2 construction drilling;
-- Drawdown/purge the Mariner East 1 Pipeline of hazardous liquid products in the area of the sinkholes within 72 hours of the order being issued; and
-- Run an in-line inspection and report the findings to the PUC and PHMSA after the drawdown/purge.
Click Here for a copy of the request for an emergency order.
For more information on the pipeline safety program, visit the PUC’s Pipeline Safety webpage.
The Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety group issued a statement supporting the suspension of the Mariner East 1 Pipeline operations. Eric Friedman of the Middletown Coalition for Community Safety, a chapter of Del-Chesco United, added, “Gov. Wolf must also halt construction of Sunoco’s troubled new pipelines. He can do so by directing his Department of Environmental Protection to permanently revoke the construction permits hurriedly issued by the Department. It is now beyond doubt that Sunoco’s plans for the construction of these pipelines have not met, and cannot be made compliant with, the statutory requirements of our Commonwealth.”
For more information on the pipeline safety program, visit the PUC’s Pipeline Safety webpage.
Reaction
Joseph Otis Minott, Executive Director of the Clean Air Council, issued a statement saying-- “Sunoco should have never been building its pipelines in this densely-populated neighborhood with busy Amtrak railroad lines and unstable geology. Mariner East 2 construction opened up a sinkhole at this same location months ago and even shook out railroad spikes. Sunoco recklessly continued drilling anyway while DEP disregarded the danger and failed to protect the public. Clean Air Council thanks PUC regulators for taking action to respond to this growing threat to public safety.”The Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety group issued a statement supporting the suspension of the Mariner East 1 Pipeline operations. Eric Friedman of the Middletown Coalition for Community Safety, a chapter of Del-Chesco United, added, “Gov. Wolf must also halt construction of Sunoco’s troubled new pipelines. He can do so by directing his Department of Environmental Protection to permanently revoke the construction permits hurriedly issued by the Department. It is now beyond doubt that Sunoco’s plans for the construction of these pipelines have not met, and cannot be made compliant with, the statutory requirements of our Commonwealth.”
(Photo: One of the Lisa Drive sinkholes, www.DailyLocalNews.com.)
NewsClips:
Hurdle: Sinkholes In Chester County Prompt PUC To Ask For Mariner East 1 Pipeline Shutdown
Sinkholes Prompt PUC To Move To Stop Gas Flow On Sunoco Pipeline
West Whiteland Twp Chester County Battles Sinkholes Related To Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction
Sinkholes Prompt PUC To Move To Stop Gas Flow On Sunoco Pipeline
West Whiteland Twp Chester County Battles Sinkholes Related To Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction
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