We're talking pipeline

The gang was all there.

They were talking about the pipeline Tuesday during a legislative session at Penn State Brandywine.

The problem is that the fierce opponents of the Mariner East projects are tired of talk.

It probably didn't help matters that the one person they wanted to hear from - Gov. Tom Wolf - was not there. On hand were representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utility Commission.

They explained their roles to residents.

I don't think they won anyone over.

For months opponents have been at odds with Wolf and state agencies over their belief that it was a mistake to approve this project - which is slated to carry hundreds of thousands of barrels of volatile gases every day through densely populated areas and right past elementary schools. They also believe that once the green light was given, the state has failed to live up to its obligation to provide the proper oversight.

Talk is not likely going to change their feelings.

Last week a few moms and grandmoms who dubbed themselves the "Mama Bears Brigade" sat down at a construction site to block work. Two of them arrested.

Word now comes that one of the major groups opposing the pipeline, Del-Chesco United for Pipeline Safety, is moving forward with an independent risk assessment of the Mariner East 2 pipeline, this while Delaware County continues to wait on proposals for a similar study.

In the meantime, Sunoco notes that they have already done a risk assessment study. They continue to vow that they are building - and will operate - Mariner East 2 to the highest safety standards in the industry.

But they are behind schedule to get Mariner East 2 online. And after several starts and stops, right now construction is again halted in West Whiteland Township in Chester County because of problems with sinkholes along the route.

So Sunoco is planning to use an old, existing pipeline to fill in the gaps where construction has not been completed in an effort to get the project finished and product flowing through it.

But opponents note that the old pipeline has a bit of a checkered past of its own, with several leaks and spills.

Which leaves us where?

Which leaves us wondering if this project can be stopped. Or if it should.

It's on today's editorial page.