Malvern-Area State Rep Calls For Mariner Pipeline Investigation

MNALVERN, PA — A state rep who covers Malvern, Charlestown, East Whiteland, Easttown, West Pikeland, West Whiteland, and Willistown is calling on state authorities to investigate activiteis tied to the Mariner East 1 and 2 pipelines.

Rep. Kristine Howard called on Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to open a criminal investigation into Sunoco’s activities regarding the Mariner East 1 and 2 pipelines, and to audit the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection, last week.

Howard’s actions were spurred by the opening of a large sinkhole in a residential area of West Whiteland Township on Sunday evening, which exposed the Mariner East 1 pipeline. This is the latest in a series of pipeline-related incidents in the high-density area, including numerous other sinkholes and complaints of tainted well water.

Howard said the area’s limestone geology is a large factor in the appearance of sinkholes, and many critics have noted the unsuitability of the area for pipeline development.

“Both Sunoco and the PUC were quick to claim there was no danger to the neighborhood,” Howard said, “but the stark fact remains – this is not the first time this issue has occurred. Nor the second. Nor the third. Something needs to change, and that is why I have called on the attorney general and the auditor general to provide greater scrutiny and accountability for this major public safety concern.”

Sunoco recently hired armed guards to keep the public away from a pipeline-related sinkhole that opened along Mariner East 1 in West Whiteland Township.

A public forum on the pipeline will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Fugett Middle School's auditorium in West Chester. Republican State Sen. Tom Killion and Democratic State Rep. Carolyn Comitta are co-hosting the event.

Republican State Sen. Tom Killion and Democrat State Sen. Andy Dinniman recently introduced legislation to improve Pennsylvania's pipeline regulatory process while keeping schools and communities safe.

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