Pipeline Worker's Comments To Chester Co. Resident Investigated

WEST CHESTER, PA — A series of threatening and vulgar comments from a Mariner East pipeline worker to a Chester County resident who opposes the pipeline has prompted a response from law enforcement.

The employee, posting on Instagram under the handle "x_rayted_fusion," used obscene language during the argument with the resident about pipeline safety, ultimatley calling her a "retard."

"If my weld was bad I hope it's in your backyard so I can watch your house burn down on the news," the worker, who has not been identified, wrote. "Thanks for the 100,000 summer."

A pipeline in Beaver County, Pennsylvania exploded and burned down a nearby home in September 2018, as law enforcement noted. While the worker does not face criminal charges, the exchange has prompted a broad response.

"We will not allow our citizens to be bullied," District Attorney Tom Hogan said. "I have raised this issue with Sunoco, as well as the pipeline worker's union leaders in Texas and Oklahoma."

Sunoco and the Mariner East pipelines have been the subject of years of controversy in the local area, following numerous drilling fluid spills, sinkholes, the contamination of drinking water, and more. In 2017, a judge ordered Sunoco to halt all operations. In 2018, they were hit with a $12.6 million fine for safety violations.

For years, local lawmakers like State Sen. Andy Dinniman have led the charge to demand greater oversight over the projects. Just last month, the Chester County District Attorney's Office announced they were opening a criminal investigation into Sunoco. And just two weeks ago, 12 new bills aimed at improving Pennsylvania's pipeline regulatory process while keeping schools and communities safe were introduced in the state legislature.

The vulgar social media exchange is just the latest example of the ire raised by the projects.

"I advise all pipeline workers to avoid any such communications with our citizens," Hogan added. "I made the same request to Sunoco."

Any residents who feel they are being threatened by pipeline workers should contact local police or Chester County Detectives immediately, the DA's Office urged.

See our full coverage of the Mariner East saga in Chester County below:

• 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
• Lawmakers Seek To Halt Drilling After More Sunoco Spills In Chester Co.
• Battle Against Sunoco Pipeline Is David v. Goliath, Lawmaker Says
• Mariner East 1 Pipeline Shut Down In Chester County

Patch file photo