Friday, September 13, 2019

PUC Investigating Subsidence Involving Several Pipelines Near Site Of Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction In Delaware County

On September 13, the PUC's Pipeline Safety Division announced it is investigating reports of subsidence near several pipelines located near the site of construction work on the Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline in Middletown Township, Delaware County.
The subsidence occurred near the northwest corner of Valley Road and West Forge Road along the right-of-way for Sunoco’s “GRE Pipeline”--  a 12-inch steel pipeline used to transport highly volatile liquids (HVLs) and petroleum products over the Mariner East Pipeline system.
No leaks or injuries were reported.  Sunoco personnel have been working to stabilize and monitor the location.
Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety said Middletown Township notified residents about Noon September 13 that a 15 by 15 foot sinkhole opened in Sleighton Park at the Valley Road and West Forge Road location in a residential area.
Engineers from the Pipeline Safety Division have been on site gathering information for their investigation and monitoring the integrity of pipelines in the area.  
Initial site surveys indicate that the GRE line was exposed, but have not indicated any pipeline integrity issues.  
The Pipeline Safety Division will continue to closely monitor the situation.
In April, the PUC investigated an earlier subsidence incident on the right-of-way of the GRE Pipeline in Middletown Township.
The Delaware County Times reported a sinkhole also opened along Route 1 in May and was filled in before the PUC was notified of its existence.
The Delaware County Times also reported Vicki Granado, a spokesperson for Energy Transfer/ Sunoco, confirming the incident and exposed pipe who said, "We did have an area of exposed pipe today under our 12-inch  line that runs through that area, which transports natural gas liquids," Granado said. "Under the guidance of a professional geologist who was onsite, the area was immediately stabilized and filled in, and the pipe covered.  There was no risk to the surrounding community as the length of the exposure was well within the maximum allowable span length for exposed pipe. There was no impact to any other pipeline in the area."
The Del-Chesco United for Pipeline Safety said on their Facebook page--  “We are asking all residents who are concerned that YET another sinkhole has formed, revealing unstable ground where our children play and live, to call the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to demand that they HALT MARINER NOW. This dangerous project WILL result in catastrophic loss if it is not stopped.”
The Delaware County Times quoted Sam Rubin, an organizer with Food & Water Action and Food & Water Watch, said in a statement: “How many more disasters will it take for Governor Wolf to stand up and protect Pennsylvanians from Sunoco reckless destruction of their communities? The Mariner East pipelines have already wreaked havoc, and that danger will only grow over time. The only solution is an immediate halt to this madness, and the governor is the only person with the power, and the responsibility, to do so.”
Follows 43 Other Incidents
This latest subsidence incident comes just days after the Department of Environmental Protection ordered Sunoco to cover exposed natural gas liquids and other petroleum pipelines at 43 locations across the state.  
Those locations were not disclosed due to security concerns.
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