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PRINTER'S NO. 3927
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1034
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY C. QUINN, DEAN, HENNESSEY, BARRAR, CORBIN, NEILSON
AND WATSON, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Calling for safe pipeline infrastructure expansion and directing
the Department of Environmental Protection and the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to prepare a
comprehensive risk assessment of the Sunoco Pipeline L.P.
Mariner East 2 natural gas liquids pipeline project impacting
17 counties throughout this Commonwealth and make a report.
WHEREAS, Pipelines carrying natural gas and natural gas
liquids represent a major investment in Commonwealth
transportation infrastructure and energy generation capacity;
and
WHEREAS, Expanded pipeline routes may pass close to homes,
child-care facilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, senior
living facilities, recreation areas, streams, lakes and
wetlands, directly impacting individuals and communities
throughout our Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, As part of the Statewide transportation
infrastructure, pipelines carrying natural gas and natural gas
liquids must satisfy applicable statutes and regulations as well
as relevant technical and administrative permit terms and
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conditions; and
WHEREAS, Deficiencies and noncompliance affecting the safety
of persons, property and the environment are key considerations
in the expansion of our Statewide transportation infrastructure;
and
WHEREAS, Deficiencies and noncompliance increase the
magnitude of risk to persons, property and the environment in
impact zones and threaten related employment and investment; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Environmental Protection issued an
order in January 2018 immediately suspending construction
permits for the Mariner East 2 (ME2) pipeline infrastructure
expansion project; and
WHEREAS, Cessation of activities under the order does apply
to maintenance of erosion controls or certain limited
maintenance of horizontal directional drilling equipment; and
WHEREAS, Sunoco Pipeline L.P. (Sunoco), a subsidiary of one
of our nation's largest pipeline operators, Energy Transfer
Partners L.P. of Dallas, Texas, is building the ME2; and
WHEREAS, The second of three adjacent pipelines, the ME2 is
designed for the conveyance and export of ethane, butane,
propane and other liquefied hydrocarbons; and
WHEREAS, These materials will move from the Marcellus Shale
region in western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to
industries and consumers, including European petrochemical
manufacturers, through the Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals
L.P. terminal in Marcus Hook, Delaware County; and
WHEREAS, The proposed 350-mile-long ME2 system comprises new
20-inch-diameter pipeline designed to supplement an older route,
dating to the 1930s, that carried refined petroleum products
from the former Sunoco refinery complex in Marcus Hook to
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Statewide outlets; and
WHEREAS, Construction of a third, parallel, 16-inch-diameter
pipeline, referred to as ME2X, is planned upon completion of the
ME2, establishing a combined Mariner pipeline capacity of up to
800,000 barrels per day; and
WHEREAS, Sunoco is required to provide notice of spills and
contamination affecting public and private lands under the $2.5
billion ME2 energy infrastructure project; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives affirm the need
for the safe construction, monitoring and operation of critical
pipeline infrastructure projects; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge Sunoco's
developers and operators to comply with applicable ME2 permit
requirements in all relevant Statewide jurisdictions; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives note that special
permit conditions exist related to private drinking water wells
under the Department of Environmental Protection permit
application review process; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Environmental Protection
require Sunoco to submit a detailed plan addressing spills of
drilling fluid known as inadvertent returns; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission to conduct a comprehensive risk
assessment related to Sunoco's ME2 project; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the risk assessment identify potential risks
of construction and operation activities and address known
public concerns about the enforcement of associated permit
protections and safety standards, including during emergencies;
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and be it further
RESOLVED, That that risk assessment include additional
relevant material as warranted; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Environmental Protection and
the Pennsylvania Public Utility report findings and
recommendations to the Governor, President pro tempore and
Minority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives.
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