Battle Against Sunoco Pipeline Is David v. Goliath, Lawmaker Says

Lawmakers continued the fight against the controversial Mariner East 2 pipeline project's path through Chester County in court this week, pleading with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to permanently block Sunoco from further construction in West Whiteland Township.

A petition was filed with the PUC by State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester County), who has been a vocal opponent of the pipeline following several safety issues over the past few years including drilling fluid spills, numerous sinkholes, and contamination of drinking water.

Dinniman characterized the ongoing fight to protect citizens and property from the dangers of the pipeline as a "David vs. Goliath" battle.

“Sunoco showed yet again today that it doesn’t seem to care about our neighborhoods, schools, environment, property rights, water resources, infrastructure, or health and safety. In fact, it doesn’t even want the public to know the full extent of what it’s doing on the Mariner East pipeline project,” Dinniman said in a statement Monday. “This company looks at West Whiteland and Chester County as nothing more than an avenue to move hazardous natural gas liquids from point A to point B and then to manufacturers in Europe."

Patch has reached out to Sunoco for comment on Dinniman's petition and the ongoing court proceedings.

The hearing between Dinniman and Sunoco is being held before PUC Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth H. Barnies. On Monday, Dinniman argued that the pipeline's safety issues and violations of PUC regulations are especially worrisome because of the proximity of the line to highly populated neighborhoods, shopping centers, schools, railways, and other critical portions of the community.

Supporters of the pipeline, like the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance called the delays "unnecessary" and said that the pipeline will bring economic benefits.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that Pennsylvania sees the full economic potential that energy infrastructure will bring to the community," a petition in support of the pipeline reads. "Delay of this project must be stopped."

According to Dinniman's office, the hearing will continue Thursday and will include testimony from experts in geology and from a West Whiteland resident who has been impacted by the pipeline activities, T.J. Allen.

Mariner East 2, if completed, would run a pipeline carrying natural gas liquids from the massive Marcellus Shale deposit in western Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook, on the Delaware River. It crosses through significant portions of Chester and Delaware counties on its way. The oil will then be shipped overseas, largely for use in creating plastics.

Last July, after public drinking water was contaminated and residents were forced to drink bottled water, a judge ordered the company to immediately halt all drilling. Drilling did not resume until after an Aug. 9 hearing laid new ground rules regarding where and how they could drill.

Final briefs in the case are due by May 16, and Judge Barnies will deliver a final decision in the days following.

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic