Chesco Township Seeks Injunction Against Sunoco In Wake Of Pipeline Damage

WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, PA — West Goshen Township is seeking to halt and prevent further construction of Sunoco's Mariner East 2 pipeline, alleging numerous violations of agreements put in place before construction began. On Monday, the township filed a petition for injunction against the oil giant.

This comes just days after water from private wells turned cloudy in West Whiteland Township shortly after drilling for the new pipeline's construction began. Sunoco has since offered to pay for public water to be supplied to roughly 30 homes in the area, they said in a statement. Officials said that Sunoco hit a spring of groundwater during drilling that was connected to the private wells, causing the contamination.

Mariner East 2, which has been embroiled in controversy for years as Sunoco sought permission and easements from private and public entities to build on their land, would stretch from southwest Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook, on the Delaware River.

West Goshen's issues with the pipeline are broader. In a statement announcing that they were filing for an injunction against Sunoco, they said that they had come to an agreement with the company regarding the above ground facilities which they were allowed to construct on township property. West Goshen alleges that Sunoco has begun construction to install an above ground pipeline valave at an unapproved location - near Greenhill and Boot roads in the township - without getting permission or even notifying the township. Other site construction and public safety protocols have been violated as well, the township alleges.

The township also claims that Sunoco construction vehicles have blocked the fire department's parking lot since they began work.

“The interest of our residents is our first priority, and we will continue to advocate on their behalf,” West Goshen Township Manager Casey LaLonde said. “We urge Sunoco Logistics to honor the terms of the agreement and to provide the township with proper notices. We will not be stonewalled.”

Township supervisors voted unanimously to file the injunction.

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