Press Release

PUC Discontinues Sunoco Injunction for Construction of ME2 and ME2X Pipelines at Some Locations Following Approval of Environmental Permits; Continues Injunction at Other Locations

Published on 8/2/2018

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today discontinued an injunction issued in June 2018 involving construction work by Sunoco Pipeline L.P. (Sunoco) at several locations on the Mariner East 2 (ME2) and Mariner East 2X (ME2X) pipelines in West Whiteland Township, Chester County- while continuing injunctions for locations where necessary environmental permits have not yet been issued.

The Commission approved the action by a 3-2 vote, based on a joint motion by Commissioner Norman J. Kennard and Commissioner John F. Coleman, Jr. Dissenting statements were offered by Chairman Gladys M. Brown and Vice Chairman Andrew G. Place.

Today’s action comes following numerous required PUC filings by Sunoco, including affidavits noting that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued permits authorizing construction at eight separate locations in West Whiteland Township. In response to the granting of environmental permits, the Commission order lifts the PUC injunction involving construction at those locations.

Also today, the Commission continued the PUC injunction involving four remaining locations in West Whiteland Township. That injunction will remain in effect until Sunoco has demonstrated that DEP has issued the appropriate permissions for continued construction work on ME2 and ME2X at those sites.

While today’s action by the Commission addresses emergency injunctions regarding construction of ME2 and ME2X, a broad complaint involving of Sunoco’s Mariner East pipelines is still before the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge. An initial prehearing conference for that case is scheduled for late-August, to address various procedural issues.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

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Docket No.:
P-2018-3001453
C-2018-3001451

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov