In addition, MIPC must provide bottled water to residents within 1,000 feet of the facility who utilize private drinking water wells until the extent of contamination is determined.
DEP learned from MIPC on December 17, 2025, that gasoline that leaked from a tank within its property in August 2025 may have released up to 378,000 gallons of fuel.
MIPC is currently reporting no known offsite impacts and has been inspecting the unnamed tributary to Marcus Hook Creek
“DEP believes this order is necessary to hold MIPC responsible to clean up the contamination and ensure residents have safe drinking water,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Swift action by the company is necessary to fully investigate the extent of damage and address the community’s needs.”
The administrative order will require MIPC to perform remediation in accordance with the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2 of 1995).
Beginning stages involve creating an interim remedial response action plan, which entails early cleanup measures to reduce immediate risks to community members or the environment until a long-term remedy is selected and implemented.
In addition to providing bottled water to private well owners, other actions under the administrative order include, but are not limited to, the following--
-- Identify residents with private supply wells within 1,000 feet of the western side of the facility in Bethel, Upper Chichester, and Aston Townships.
-- Sample private supply wells for PA Short List Gasoline Compounds.
-- Submit a vapor intrusion evaluation plan for potential subsurface vapors near homes.
-- Submit an enforceable schedule for completing its environmental investigations and a remedial action plan to address the impacts of the leak.
-- Submit a Public Involvement Plan (PIP), which is an agreed upon communications plan between the townships, MIPC, community members, and DEP to keep the public informed on significant project activities and next steps.
[On August 19, 2025, Delaware County emergency services reported to the PA Emergency Management Agency and PEMA reported to DEP a notification that MIPC had discovered “hydrocarbons’ in a storm sewer at the facility on the evening of August 18.
[The initial notification said no leaks were identified in any of the tanks or pipelines or offsite impacts, according to DEP’s administrative order.]
The operation and maintenance of the above ground storage tanks and associated pipeline systems at Chelsea Pipeline Station and Tank Farm are regulated by the federal government through the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA).
The investigation in August included DEP issuing an approval for a temporary water treatment system and discharge permit to treat contaminated water and aid in the investigation. MCIP reported no offsite impacts at that point.
MIPC’s performed internal investigations from September through November with no reporting of significant product discovered.
However, on December 5, 2025, MIPC reported to the National Response Center that the amount of gasoline released may be significant and was impacting soil and groundwater.
According to PHMSA, MIPC stated that the source of the leak was from a 1/4-inch hole at the bottom of a tank.
MIPC is currently reporting no known offsite impacts and has been inspecting the unnamed tributary to Marcus Hook Creek.
No gasoline has been observed in the tributary.
Additionally, four water wells have been tested in the vicinity of Chelsea Pipeline Station and Tank Farm and no impacts have been documented.
The administrative order will ensure Monroe Energy’s MIPC is held accountable for this release and enters into Act 2. Cleanup efforts remain in effect until the community’s health and safety is assured.
To report an environmental concern, please call DEP at 1-800-541-2050.
Click Here for the DEP announcement.
Bucks County Pipeline Release
This is the second major release from a pipeline facility in DEP’s Southeast Region this year.
On January 31, 2025, Energy Transfer/Sunoco confirmed a pipeline carrying jet fuel had ruptured leaking fuel into groundwater that contaminated wells in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County.
Click Here for more information.
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website. Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- DEP: MarkWest Liberty Midstream Reports 69,000 Gallon Pipeline Construction Fluid Loss Into Mine Voids Under Washington County; 476,600 Gallons Lost So Far [PaEN]
-- Warren Times: US Forest Service Closes American Refining Group Facilities In Allegheny National Forest Declaring Them Unsafe Due To Hazardous Materials, Structurally Unsound Buildings [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: Fracking’s Forever Problem: 3 Articles On Tracking, Disposing Of Oil & Gas Waste In Pennsylvania - Still A ‘Logistical Mess’ [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP To Host Jan. 6 Public Information Meeting On Water Quality Permits For The A.I. Data Center Proposal In Archbald Boro, Lackawanna County [Some Of The 84 Data Center Buildings Proposed In NE PA] [PaEN]
-- Guest Essay: Lessons from A.I. Data Centers And Shale Gas Fracking Tours - By Scott Cannon, Luzerne County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Warren Times/AP: President’s Return Brought Stiff Headwinds For Clean Energy, So Why Are Advocates Optimistic In 2026? [PDF of Article]
-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Energy Future Shouldn’t Be Held Hostage To Fossil Fuel Myths; Renewables Aren’t The Reason For Soaring Energy Prices, Grid Fragility - By Douglas Webster, Monroeville [PDF of Article]
-- Appalachian Voices: FERC Approves Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion For VA, PA To North Carolina Over Objections, No Environmental Impact Statement
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: FERC Approves Major Changes To Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate Route And Capacity
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