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Mariner East
ME2 - Update:
On February 28 the Chester County commissioners joined the Delaware County commissioners, several school districts, private residents, townships and a homeowners association in a legal challenge before the Public Utility Commission(PUC) because of safety concerns of the Mariner East Project. This began as a legal complaint from seven residents requesting that the PUC shut down the pipeline because of numerous safety risks. The Chester County commissioners have found the pipeline operator Sunoco to be severely lacking in effective communication and transparency. The County has not been able to obtain crucial pipeline safety information and procedures from the company in spite of repeated requests. In addition the Chesco commissioners terminated two temporary easements on the Chester County Library property that were granted to Sunoco in 2017.
The repeated failure of Sunoco to communicate with Chesco and Delco emergency services and school districts regarding safety concerns has now reached the point where legal action was necessary.
The 
Mariner East pipeline project consists of 4 separate pipelines to transport volatile natural gas liquids(NGLs) from the Marcellus Shale regions to Marcus Hook for export to Europe for the manufacture of plastics.Mariner East 1(ME 1) is an 8” in diameter pipeline constructed in 1931 to transport petroleum products from Marcus Hook to Western PA. In 2014 Sunoco Logistics “repurposed” this pipeline to transport NGLs from Marcellus Shale to Marcus Hook. By doing this they changed the direction of flow, the product and raised the pressure in the pipeline, all of which are of concern. Mariner East 2 (ME 2- 20”diameter) and 2X (16”) began construction 2 years ago to transport addItional NGLs along the same route as ME1 destined for export to Europe and plastic manufacture. During construction Sunoco has been charged with numerous violations due to many inadvertent returns(spills), some leading to contamination of drinking water, and unauthorized constructions methods.They have received many fines, but none significant enough to deter them, and have had to halt construction for periods of time. Sinkholes developing in Chester County due to HDD(horizontal directional drilling) exposed ME1 and led the PUC(Public Utility Commission) to stop the transport of NGLs in this pipeline for a couple of months. Due to these numerous problems resulting from poor construction ME2 and 2X have not been completed in Chester or Delaware Counties.To circumvent this, Sunoco is poised to attach their 12” pipeline constructed in the 1930’s to transport petroleum products westward, to already constructed ME2 in western Chester County and eastern Delaware County enabling the transport of NGLs to Marcus Hook bypassing those portions of ME2 and 2X awaiting construction Concerns have been raised about the safety of this repurposed hybrid pipeline as well as the adequacy of evacuations plans in case of a leak or rupture along any segment of the ME project. Finally, the Chester County District Attorney has just announced that his office is embarking on a criminal investigation into the construction of the ME pipelines accusing Governor Wolf and state agencies (PUC, DEP) of failing to hold Sunoco accountable.
Facts & Stats
Resources
- Chester County Community Meeting Aire Public Concerns - StateImpact (2/1/19)
- PA’s Most Penalized, Controversial Natural Gas Pipeline Now In Service- Mariner East 2 - PA Env Digest (12/29/18)
- ME2 Web Series - Middletown Coalition
- Mariner East 2 FracTracker - detailed map of pipeline route and work area per permits.
- PUC panel sees "statewide concern" with pipeline corrosion after ME1 leak - StateImpact (12/15/18)
- PUC Investigators: We didn't say the 12-inch ME2 line was safe - StateImpact (12/19/18)
- Chester County DA opens criminal investigation - StateImpact (12/19/18)
Local Organizing
It is important that Sierra Club members in townships along the path of Mariner East urge their municipalities to remain vigilant to protect their residents and environment. They should press for a sensible evacuation plan in case of a pipeline accident and report any construction mishaps to the PADEP. Attending frequent township board of supervisor meeting is an important way to monitor this tenuous situation.
DelChesco United for Public Safety
Middletown Coalition for Public Safety
East Goshen Safety & Environmental Advocates Pipeline Safety Coalition
Adelphia Gateway
Plan to convert
the remaining 50 miles of an existing 18” 84- mile pipeline in southeastern PA from oil to natural gas(methane). In 1996 the northern 34 miles of the pipeline were converted to transport natural gas. The lower portion crosses portions of Delaware, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery and Northampton Counties. This project is considered an interstate pipeline and thus is under the jurisdiction of FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). It will require the construction of 2 gas-driven compressor stations in Bucks and Delaware Counties, 8 new blowdown assemblies( release of gas to reduce pressure), as well as 9 HDD(horizontal directional drilling) sites. There is the potential for air pollution with the release of methane, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and noise pollution from the compressor stations as well as impacts on numerous water sheds. FERC will issue an Environmental Assessment(EA) on 1/4/2019 and Adelphia proposes to begin service by 4/1/2019.
Facts & Stats
Resources
Philadelphia Inquirer 1/26/18. Legal Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer 11/26/18. page 1 and 2. “Residents in Bucks. vs Pipeline”
Local Organizing
Intervenors can demand an Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) which is much more comprehensive and robust compared to an EA. Individuals in impacted municipalities should attend and speak at township meetings and FERC and DEP hearings. The important issue that this project will contribute to global warming should be addressed to state and federal elected officials.
Local Contacts: See Mariner East. Clean Air Council.