Pennsylvania DEP Orders Pipeline Work Halted
The agency's order lists various violations and says Sunoco Pipeline's "unlawful conduct . . . demonstrates a lack of ability or intention on the part of Sunoco to comply with the Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, and permits issued thereunder."
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, known as DEP, on Jan. 3 issued an order suspending the construction permits associated with the Mariner East 2 pipeline until the permittee, Sunoco Pipeline, L.P., meets requirements outlined in the order. The state agency says until then, Sunoco must cease all construction activity on the pipeline project, except for maintenance of erosion controls and limited maintenance of horizontal directional drilling equipment.
"Until Sunoco can demonstrate that the permit conditions can and will be followed, DEP has no alternative but to suspend the permits," said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. "We are living up to our promise to hold this project accountable to the strong protections in the permits."
Its order lists various violations and says Sunoco Pipeline's "unlawful conduct . . . demonstrates a lack of ability or intention on the part of Sunoco to comply with the Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, and permits issued thereunder."
DEP said the construction permits will be suspended until Sunoco satisfies terms outlined in the order, including these:
- Address all impacts to private water wells in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County
- Identify all in-progress or upcoming construction activities and detail the specific Chapter 102 and Chapter 105 permit under which the activity is authorized
- Submit a detailed Operations Plan outlining additional measures and controls to minimize inadvertent returns