It's taken a lot longer than residents had hoped for, but it looks like the opponents of the Mariner East pipeline project finally have the attention of the state Public Utility Commission.
That's what happens when sinkholes keep popping up in your neighborhood.
The Mariner East 1 pipeline was exposed for the second time a week ago when a 10-foot sinkhole formed in the same West Whiteland neighborhood where a series of sinkholes believed tied to drilling for Mariner East 2 exposed the old Mariner East 1 pipe.
Back then the PUC shut down Mariner East 1 in the area and halted construction on Mariner East 2. Eventually both were allowed to resume.
Now Mariner East 2 is up and running, albeit with a myriad of older pipes filling in spots where Sunoco was unable to complete the 20-inch pipe because of various delays.
Now Mariner East has been shut down the entire width of the state by the PUC. Sunoco and parent company Energy Transfer Partners is purging any remaining liquid gases from the line.
The latest sinkhole problem reinforces something pipeline opponents have been saying for a couple of years. They make the argument that the region's geology - in particular the abundance of 'karst' formations - make it especially susceptible to these kinds of sinkhole issues.
About the last place you might want to route a pipeline.
Now the PUC says it will undertake geophysical surveys around the Lisa Drive neighborhood in West Whiteland where the sinkholes have occurred. It is expected that the surveys will take several days to complete and Mariner East 1 will not be allowed to resume operation until those results are give an independent analysis and review.
Sunoco Pipeline is not allowed to resume operation of Mariner East 1 until they get approval from the PUC's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement.
The PUC noted that I&E has the authority to bring enforcement action and also seek emergency orders should their findings indicate those steps are necessary.
The PUC has not given any timeline for the investigation.
In a letter delivered to Lisa Drive residents, Energy Transfer and Sunoco Pipeline have indicated that Mariner East 1 was not damaged by the sinkhole, and that they have filled in the sinkhole with a specialized grouting to stabilize while the studies are being conducted.
The company said they purged any liquid gas products over a 44-mile section of the pipeline from Beckersville, in Berks County, to their facility in Marcus Hook.
Mariner East 2 was not affected by the sinkhole and continues to operate.
Eventually, Energy Transfer will operate three pipelines, Mariner East 1 and 2, along with Mariner East 2x, which is still under construction. The pipelines will deliver hundreds of thousands of barrels of propane, butane and ethane the full width of the state from the Marcellus Shale regions to Marcus Hook.
Comments