A Sunoco Logistics pipeline ruptured on October 21st, spilling 55,000 gallons of gasoline into a tributary of the Loyalsock Creek which eventually connects with the Susquehanna River. As of Tuesday, PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) officials claim that “no levels of petroleum have been detected that would risk public health” but the spill has the potential to affect 12,000 American Water customers.
Despite both this recent rupture and spilling crude more often than any of its competitors with more than 200 spills since 2010, Sunoco wishes to expand their pipeline operations in PA. Sunoco Logistics is currently in the process of revising their Chapter 105 permit applications for the proposed Mariner East 2 (ME2) natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline, after receiving over 70 pages of technical deficiency letters from the PADEP last month. The project would include the installation of two parallel lines – 20 inches and 16 inches in diameter – which could carry up to 700,000 barrels of NGLs per day and would span 17 counties in southern Pennsylvania. ME2 will also cross the Youghiogheny River near Sutersville, PA.
Sunoco also holds the dubious distinction of being the operator of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which if completed, would threaten public water supplies and cultural sites of unprecedented magnitude.
Although it’s impossible to undo the recent environmental damage done in Lycoming County, or the suffering and strife incurred upon the water protectors in the Dakotas, we can accept the fact that Sunoco boasts an extremely poor safety record, and likely poses great threat to the environment and the people of Pennsylvania. Please consider contacting the PADEP with your comments and concerns and let them know that you are not willing to sacrifice the health, safety, and well-being of your family, friends and neighbors for the financial gain of a company with a proven track record of environmental degradation.