On September 11, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an order requiring Sunoco Pipeline, L.P. (Sunoco) to reroute a 1.01 mile section of the Mariner East II Pipeline and further assess, investigate, and restore resources impacted by pipeline installation activities in Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County.

This pipeline reroute in the Marsh Creek area was previously evaluated by Sunoco* and found to be technically feasible. The order requires that this technically feasible route be used rather than the current pathway, which has resulted in multiple drilling fluid spills and subsidence in a wetland area.

The horizontal directional drilling (HDD) site which caused the impacts includes the installation of two pipes, a 16-inch and 20-inch line, and is referred to as HDD 290.

In August 2020, Sunoco spilled over 8,000 gallons of drilling fluid, an industrial waste, and created a 15-foot wide by 8-foot deep subsidence, adversely impacting wetlands, two tributaries to Marsh Creek Lake, and the lake itself, in Marsh Creek State.

The drilling fluid spill caused the park to close off 33 acres of the lake from boating and other recreational uses and access.

“These incidents are yet another instance where Sunoco has blatantly disregarded the citizens and resources of Chester County with careless actions while installing the Mariner East II Pipeline. We will not stand for more of the same. An alternate route must be used. The department is holding Sunoco responsible for its unlawful actions and demanding a proper cleanup,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “To the fullest extent possible under our laws and regulations, we will continue to hold this company accountable for their actions, impacts, and behavior.”

The administrative order re-affirms DEP’s regulatory oversight. DEP officials have maintained a consistent presence at this site since the spill on August 10, 2020 to oversee all clean up and restoration activities and issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Sunoco on August 20, 2020.

In the NOV, DEP requested, among other things, that Sunoco provide plans to address the impacts of the drilling fluid spill and subsidence events; to date, DEP has not yet received all requested information, including these plans.

In addition to the required re-routing of the 20-in pipeline away from Marsh Creek Lake, additional corrective actions including impact assessments and restoration and remediation requirements are further outlined in the order.

Click Here for a copy of the order.  Media questions should be direct to Virginia Cain, DEP Southeast Regional Office, 484-250-5808 or by email to: vicain@pa.gov. 

More information on DEP actions related to this pipeline is available on DEP’s Mariner East II Pipeline webpage.

NewsClips:

*Frank Kummer: DEP Orders Sunoco To Reroute Mariner East 2 Pipeline After Recent Spill Into Marsh Creek Lake

John Hurdle: DEP Orders Sunoco To Reroute Mariner East Pipeline After Marsh Creek Lake Spill

Related Article This Week:

How Long Must The Public Wait For Action On Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bills?

Related Articles:

-- Mariner East Pipeline Drilling Stopped Indefinitely At Site Of Leak Into Marsh Creek State Park Lake, Chester County; Pipeline Company Will Be Held Accountable

-- Clean Air Council: Another Spill From Construction Of Sunoco's Mariner East II Pipeline In Chester County

-- Legislators Issue Call For Revocation Of Mariner East Pipeline Permits In Chester County

-- 31 Environmental, Conservation Groups Demand DEP Revoke Mariner East Pipeline Permits

[Posted: Sept. 11, 2020]

9/14/2020