Sunoco Halts Pipeline Drilling In Chester County Indefinitely

Sunoco has suspended drilling for the controversial Mariner East 2 pipeline indefinitely, they announced Friday. The announcement comes under increasing pressure from local officials to answer questions related to water quality, and an injunction filed by West Goshen Township to halt all construction.

Sunoco officials said that on Thursday that no further construction would take place until all issues with the water supply in Chester County had been resolved.

Sunoco had previously agreed to pay for water for 30 residents in the West Whiteland area after their drilling appeared to contaminate well water supply, turning the water a muddy brown color. Others have lost water entirely, according to NPR.

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 carry oil from the famed Marcellus Shale deposit from southwest Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook, on the Delaware River.

In addition to paying for the water, Sunoco has agreed to pay for a public water line, supplied by Aqua Pennsylvania, to connect residents. The line is reportedly to be set up within three weeks.

West Goshen, meanwhile, has a separate problem with the oil giant: they allege that Sunoco proceeded with construction in violation of a number of agreements signed beforehand, including locations which the construction would impact.

It is not clear how long the construction will be delayed for, or if Sunoco has addressed the injunction.

Patch file photo