Politics & Government

Delaware County Looking To Intervene In Mariner Pipeline Suit

Delco says its residents are directly affected by the Mariner East pipeline system, particularly as it relates to public health and safety.

(Shutterstock)

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County is taking action to join a group of residents and institutions in a lawsuit filed against owners of the Mariner East pipeline.

On Feb. 21, the county council gave the go-ahead to County Solicitor Michael Maddren to file a motion to intervene in a lawsuit initially filed by seven residents of Delaware and Chester counties against the owners of the Mariner East pipeline.

The county requested that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission grant its petition to intervene and authorize its intervention and participation in the consolidated proceedings as a full and active party, according to the county.

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In November, seven people filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission against Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners, citing the risk associated with the Mariner East pipeline.

Later, Rose Tree Media School District, Downingtown Area School District, Twin Valley School District, East Goshen Township, West Whiteland Townships, and the Andover Homeowners Association joined the lawsuit, according to the county.

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The county’s interest in the proceeding states that Delaware County and its residents are directly affected by the Mariner East pipeline system, particularly as it relates to public health and safety, the county said.

This petition to intervene will allow county lawyers the right to call witnesses, present evidence, file briefs, and cross-examine Sunoco’s witnesses if necessary, according to the county.

It requests that Sunoco partners with Delaware County in emergency planning and does what is necessary to prepare first responders to prepare for a response to any event.

In 2018, the county cuncil commissioned Texas-based G-2 Integrated Solutions to conduct a risk assessment of the Mariner East and Adelphia pipelines.

The findings were presented by Analysts from G2 at a public presentation held on Dec. 17, 2018.

In response to public discussions, this risk assessment was undertaken to estimate the level of individual risk to Delaware County residents from either the Mariner East 2 pipeline or the converted Adelphia pipeline and then compare to other common sources of risk experienced by the general population.

The full results of the study can be found online here.

Image via Shutterstock


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