PA Environment Digest Blog: Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety: Texas Explosion Shows Communities In PA With Energy Transfer's Mariner East Pipeline And Other Pipelines Are Vulnerable To The Same Unmitigated Risk From Unsecured Pipeline Valves

Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety says Pennsylvania communities through which Energy Transfer’s Mariner East natural gas liquids pipeline and many other pipelines pass are at the same “unmitigated risk” of unsecured, aboveground pipeline valves and explosion hazards as the communities now affected by Energy Transfer’s pipeline explosion in Texas.

In a statement, Del-Cheso United said--

On the morning of September 16, a 20-inch natural gas liquids pipeline operated by Energy Transfer exploded in a suburban neighborhood outside Houston Texas.

Two days later the fire continues to burn as the materials in the isolated 20 mile section of pipeline are burned off, and firefighters work to contain the destruction and spread of the fire.

The explosion and fire have caused extensive evacuations, shutdowns, power outages, property damage-- including melted playground equipment-- injuries and a fatality.

As bad as it was, it could have been far worse.

If the gas had not ignited immediately the heavier-than-air, highly explosive vapor would have spread before meeting an ignition source and the ensuing property damage, injuries and loss of lives would have been more extensive and potentially catastrophic.

[On September 17, Bloomberg reported the explosion was caused by a vehicle crashing through a fence and running into an aboveground valve to the pipeline.]

Lora Snyder of Del-Chesco United for Pipeline Safety said-- “For communities in Pennsylvania along the path of the Mariner East pipelines, Monday’s explosion was a menacing example of the risk that Energy Transfer forced on us several years ago. The Mariner East pipelines are the same size, transport the same flammable natural gas liquids and are owned and operated by Energy Transfer, same as the pipeline in Texas”

Incidents of this nature are not novel for Energy Transfer.

The Texas-based corporation has a history of pipeline accidents in Pennsylvania, including the 2017 leak on Mariner East 1 in Berks County caused by pipeline corrosion, and the 2018 Revolution Pipeline explosion in Beaver County caused by land subsidence.

Pennsylvania residents have been informed that if there is a leak on Mariner East Pipeline they must immediately move a half mile upwind and uphill from the pipeline on foot to avoid being incinerated or asphyxiated.

This Energy Transfer-recommended emergency plan for their highly volatile liquid gas pipeline leak is simply not viable for our densely populated regions, and especially for those who cannot self-evacuate on foot.

Independent risk assessments determined that a leak on Mariner East has a blast radius of a half mile or more and that valve stations are most susceptible to leaks.

Valve stations along the Mariner East Pipeline are only required to be surrounded by a chain link fence, which does not address pipeline station vulnerability to damage from vehicles in the event of an auto collision, a terrorist attack, or natural disaster putting homes, schools and entire neighborhoods at increased risk of a catastrophic event.

The cause of the explosion in Texas, a vehicle crashing into a valve station, is not a surprise.

This issue has been raised concerning the Mariner East Pipeline by community members, and other interested parties, particularly where valve stations are in close proximity to schools and heavily-traveled roads.

Vehicle Barriers Needed

We successfully advocated for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to include vehicle barriers around valve stations in its enhanced hazardous liquids pipeline regulations.

But in the final rules issued earlier this year, existing pipelines are exempt from vehicle barrier requirements, which includes the Mariner East Pipeline.

[The PUC’s regulations only cover two pipelines in Pennsylvania operated as public utilities, not the vast majority of pipelines now operating in the state. Read more here.]

Lora Snyder continues: “By leaving valve stations vulnerable to accidental or intentional damage by vehicles resulting in leaks, or ruptures, Energy Transfer deliberately and consistently exposes our communities to unnecessary risks just to maximize profit.

“And our government and regulatory agencies have failed miserably in their duty to protect Pennsylvanians from such negligent behavior.

“The explosion in Houston this week confirms once again our persistent contention that pipeline accidents do occur, they occur in densely populated residential areas, can result in grave consequences and that they, by definition, potentially pose catastrophic outcomes.”

Del Chesco United once again implores and beseeches local, state, and federal agencies to safeguard our communities from the potentially catastrophic risk of a pipeline explosion from an NGL pipeline such as the Mariner East system which snakes across Pennsylvania.

Visit the Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety Facebook page to learn more.

(Photos: Top-- Mariner East Valve Station in Middletown, Delaware County protected with bare minimum chain link fence next- door to Glenwood Elementary School; Mariner East Valve Station in Thornbury Delaware County just feet from highly traveled Route 352; Bottom-- Mariner East valve station surrounded by chain link fence at heavily-traveled Lincoln HIghway in densely populated West Whiteland Township, Chester County; Energy Transfer pipeline fire in Houston. First three photos courtesy of Del-Chesco United.)

NewsClips - Texas Pipeline Fire:

-- Food & Water Watch: Explosion Of Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline In Texas Highlights Company’s Terrible Safety Record In Pennsylvania

-- Bloomberg: Human Remains Found In Vehicle Involved In Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Fire In Houston

-- WFMJ/AP: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Fire That Burned For 4 Days Now Out In Houston

-- Reuters: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Fire Burns For A 3rd Day In Houston

-- Bloomberg: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Fire Caused By An SUV Crashing Through A Fence And Knocking Off Aboveground Valve To Pipeline

-- Reuters: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Continues To Burn Into Wednesday In Houston

-- ABC27/AP: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Fire Subsides, But Still Burns In Houston; Fire Severed Power Lines, Melted Nearby Playground Equipment

Resource Links - PA Pipelines:

-- AG Shapiro: Energy Transfer/Sunoco Convicted Of Criminal Charges Related To Construction Of Mariner East 2 & Revolution Natural Gas/Liquids Pipelines In PA [PaEN]

-- Spotlight PA - Lilly Riddle: Companies Behind Mariner East II Pipeline Paid $42 Million In Pollution Fines To Pennsylvania [PaEN]

-- Attorney General Henry Charges 2 With Criminal Risking Catastrophe Charges Related To Work On Natural Gas Pipeline In Lawrence County; Pipelines Have Worst Environmental Compliance Record In PA [PaEN]