Three environmental groups announced Friday they have reached a settlement agreement around the Mariner East 2 Pipelines with the Department of Environmental Protection.

The settlement resolves an appeal of construction-related permits for Sunoco Pipeline L.P.’s (Sunoco) Mariner East 2 pipeline project that has been pending before the Environmental Hearing Board for nearly a year and a half.

The groups include the Clean Air Council, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and Mountain Watershed Association.

The agreement calls for DEP to create and enhance protective policies to address the public health and the environmental impacts from pipeline projects.

This agreement will also lead to increased transparency, better access to permit application materials, additional opportunities for public participation, and improved communication with impacted residents along project routes.

Among the provisions in the agreement are--

-- Pipeline Applications Online: DEP will post all non-privileged, non-confidential pipeline permit application materials and supporting documents and related decision documents online  no later than February 1, 2019;

-- Pipeline Construction BMPs: DEP will convene a balanced group of stakeholders to develop technical guidance related to-- Erosion & Sedimentation Permits and Alternatives Analysis; horizontal directional drilling (HDD) Construction and Operation; Operational Measures related to training plans, landowner pre-application communication and restoration plantings.

-- ESCGP-e Application Workshop: The appellants will have the opportunity to designate a technical representative on this group related to the general permit for earth disturbance associated with oil and gas facilities.

“DEP is pleased that we were able to reach an amicable agreement with the appellants, resolving all claims related to the issuance of these permits while incorporating new processes to ensure that future pipeline projects learn from the mistakes made by Sunoco in implementing this project,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “To be clear, DEP will continue to conduct vigorous oversight to ensure compliance with the conditions of the permits and will issue enforcement actions as necessary.”

The settlement does not alter any of the 20 permits in the appeal. Each permit was lawfully issued after a thorough environmental review involving approximately 35 DEP and County Conservation District staff over the course of nearly two years.

Click Here for a copy of the agreement.

Background

Mariner East 2 Pipelines consist of two large-diameter pipelines that would carry highly volatile hazardous liquids at very high pressure 350 miles across Pennsylvania to be shipped for sale overseas.

In February 2017, Clean Air Council, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and Mountain Watershed Association appealed DEP’s decision to issue permits to Sunoco to construct the Mariner East 2 pipelines.

Within half a year of the appeal, the EHB preliminarily determined that Sunoco’s horizontal directional drilling (HDD) activity imperiled the environment, and it temporarily shut down all permitted activity at every HDD site across the Commonwealth.

The groups reached a partial agreement last summer that resulted in significant improvements to Sunoco’s plans for construction of the rest of the pipelines.

Nonetheless, when Sunoco was allowed to resume construction, sinkholes opened up in residents’ backyards, and Sunoco’s HDD practices have so far resulted in over 180 separate spills of drilling fluid-- an industrial waste and pollutant-- into Pennsylvania land and waters.

“This settlement marks the successful resolution of just one part of the many issues with the destructive Mariner East pipelines,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council. “There are many other issues that still must be addressed. Due to the negligence and carelessness of Sunoco in constructing these pipelines, opposition to the Mariner East pipelines is accelerating and the Council, its partners, and the many residents that have been harmed by these pipelines will continue to strongly resist them.”

“Sunoco has been among the worst actors in the pipeline industry but they are by no means alone. The mass proliferation of pipelines being allowed to cut through our forests, creeks, private properties, public lands, and communities is inflicting tremendous and irreparable harm,” said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.  “This agreement is an important step towards protection, but what is really needed is for Pennsylvania to end the practice of fracking for gas from shale in the state.”

“The devastation that Sunoco caused is indefensible and should never have occurred,” said Melissa Marshall, Community Advocate for Mountain Watershed Association.  “This settlement is a critical first step towards preventing tragedies such as those we’ve seen with Mariner East 2 from ever happening to anyone again.”

Click Here for a copy of the agreement.

NewsClips:

Cusick: DEP Reaches Settlement With Environmental Groups On Mariner East 2 Pipeline

DEP, Environmentalists Settle Mariner East 2 Pipeline Dispute

Delaware County Commissions Long-Debated Study Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline

Mariner East 2 Pipeline Drilling In Lebanon County To Resume Despite Risk

Kummer: Nuns Lose Federal Appeal To Stop Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline On Their Lancaster Farm

Appeals Court Rejects Lancaster Nuns’ Religious-Freedom Lawsuit Against Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline

AP: Court Strikes Blow To Lancaster Nuns’ Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Fight

Human Billboard Of Pipeline Protest In Lebanon County

As Pipelines Are Completed, More Efficient Movement Of Gas to Market Will Boost Industry

Bay Journal: FERC OKs Potomac Pipeline Carrying Gas From PA To West Virginia

Integrated Vegetation Management A Plus For Pollinators And Pipelines

Related Stories:

PUC Lifts Shutdown Order On Mariner East 1 Pipeline; Mariner East 2, 2x Pipeline Construction Remains Shut Down In Chester County

PUC, DEP: There Needs To Be A Serious Conversation On Legislation Controlling Pipeline Siting

Related Stories This Week:

DEP Orders Well Operators To Plug 1,058 Abandoned Wells Statewide

DCNR Releases 2nd Monitoring Report On State Forest Shale Gas Drilling

Opportunity To Bid On DEP Project To Plug Gas Wells In Clearfield County

[Posted: July 27, 2018]

7/30/2018