Statement: Pipeline Assessment in Delco

Opponents of the Mariner East pipelines projects announced a company to complete a risk assessment, even though study after study shows that pipelines are the safest, most efficient way to transport energy resources and that these permits are among the most stringent the state has ever issued for this type of construction activity.

If you are providing continuing coverage about this issue, please feel free to use the following statement attributed to me, Kurt Knaus, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance:

“The selection of Quest Consultants by a local pipeline opposition group for a duplicative risk analysis is proof that this process has less to do with assessing risk and more to ensure that the outcome is controversial. Quest Consultants performed a discredited analysis for the anti-pipeline group, the Middletown Coalition, in early 2017. Because of the potential bias, the Delaware County Council chose not to approve their bid for a similar study. Generating a credible analysis does not seem to be the goal of Sen. Dinniman and his financiers. Construction of Mariner East 2 has been undertaken with full regulatory approval, and in accordance with all applicable laws. Pennsylvania desperately needs the clean, affordable energy that Mariner East 2 will provide, and this essential project must be completed.”

For more than two years, the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance has advocated for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure and boosts in economic activity.