From the Clean Air Council (http://www.cleanair.org/):
Sunoco is attempting to install pipelines for its Mariner East Project under an exceptional value wetland in Blair Township, PA. The Mariner East Project consists of pipelines transporting hazardous natural gas liquids (NGLs) such as propane, ethane, and butane.
When Sunoco installed its first pipeline at this location, it used horizontal directional drilling (HDD), but it was planned poorly and resulted in drilling fluid spilling into and contaminating the wetlands. HDD is a pipeline construction technique that involves drilling up to 200 feet below the earth’s surface to install pipes under waterways, roads, or other areas where surface impacts need to be avoided.
Now, Sunoco wants to “open trench” the same contaminated wetland to install its second pipeline, causing even more damage by simply digging up the wetland instead of going under it. It is claiming since the wetland has already been damaged, it is okay to cause more damage. This justification flies in the face of our laws and regulations to protect wetlands and sets a dangerous precedent encouraging environmental destruction. Sunoco also did not complete a proper analysis to see if HDD could be done safely before proposing the “open trench” method.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) should not approve this plan because Sunoco has not fully investigated options to minimize harm to this exceptional value wetland. Sunoco’s proposal would allow for unacceptable destruction of this important resources.
If you’re familiar with the area and are concerned about the degradation of exceptional value wetlands, please voice your thoughts and concerns through the link provided.
Go to http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51176/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=26410 to urge DEP to deny Sunoco’s new plan!
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