Chester Co. Files Suit To Stop Sunoco Mariner East 2 Construction

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County has filed a civil lawsuit that would prevent Sunoco from further construction of its Mariner East 2 pipeline on specific easements in the county.

The lawsuit was filed after county officials said Sunoco proceeded with a construction method that explicity disregarded key language in their initial agreement.

Specifically, there are two county-owned stretches of land where the controversial pipeline is planned to run: one at the Chester County Library and one along the Chester Valley Trail. Sunoco told the county on April 5 that they planned to use "open trench" construction at these sites without permission from the county, spurring this suit.

"Commissioners believe that Sunoco will be unable to construct the Mariner 2 pipeline on the county library property within the existing 50-foot right of way and in a manner which ensures public safety and welfare," said Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.

Authorities did not note a specific danger they believe the open trench construction method might pose to the public, but stressed that the lawsuit stemmed from Sunoco's disregard of the methods approved in the initial agreement. The agreement requires Sunoco to obtain a temporary construction easement to use that method, which they did not.

County Commissioner Terence Farrell added in a statement the planned construction "could place our citizens in jeopardy." Both the library and trail are high-trafficked areas, bringing a significant number of residents into close proximity of construction activities.

The county is the authority taking this measure because the pipeline construction is slated to cross county-owned property next. Kichline said that typically, the county is unable to do anything to stop Sunoco when it violates terms.

"Municipal and county governments are restricted in our options to regulate," she said. "State regulators and legislators have essentially made us powerless to stop the process."

The county has also joined several local school districts, including West Chester, Downingtown Area, Rose Tree Media, and Twin Valley in supporting another lawsuit against Sunoco, filed last November by activist and Delaware County resident Meghan Flynn.

Sunoco is the subject of a criminal investigation in Chester County for their activities related to the pipelines and safety concerns in Chester County. A dozen pieces of legislation are pending to completely overhaul the state's regulatory process in the wake of Sunoco's controversial presence in southeastern Pennsylvania, which has led to numerous spills, sinkholes, well water contamination, and other safety violations.

Catch up on the latest on the Sunoco saga in Chester County:

• Sunoco's Armed Guards Turn Back Public At Pipeline Sinkhole: DA
• West Chester School District Intervening In Sunoco Complaint
• New Sinkhole Opens Up Along Mariner East 1 In Chester County
• Pipeline Worker's Comments To Chester Co. Resident Investigated
• New Legislation Aims To Improve Pipeline Safety Near Schools
• Criminal Investigation Opened Into Sunoco, Chester Co. Pipelines
• Funded By Sunoco Fine, Chesco Gets $1.8 Million For Conservation
• Sunoco Fined $12.6 Million For Mariner East 2 Violations
• Battle Against Sunoco Pipeline Is David v. Goliath, Lawmaker Says