Statement: DEP Settlement Validates ME2 Permits

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection today announced that pipeline opponents have settled their appeal of permits issued to Sunoco for the Mariner East 2 pipeline project, which represents one of the biggest economic opportunities Pennsylvania has seen in generations — a $9.1 billion investment that will support over 57,000 jobs and generate an estimated $122 million to the state during construction.

As the department notes in announcing the settlement: “The settlement does not alter any of the 20 permits in the appeal. Each permit was lawfully issued after a thorough environmental review involving approximately 35 DEP and County Conservation District staff over the course of nearly two years.”

Government data already indicates that pipelines are the safest, most environmentally friendly way to transport energy resources because pipelines must adhere to strict state and federal regulations throughout construction, testing and infrastructure replacement to ensure system integrity.

If you are writing about this settlement, please find a statement from the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance. You can quote me, Kurt Knaus, as PEIA spokesman:

“This settlement validates what we already knew — that this pipeline has undergone rigorous reviews at every level, and that the requirements in place for developing and operating this pipeline are safe, legal and responsible. More than 29,000 formal comments were submitted at five hearings held across the state as part of a review process that stretched years. DEP reaffirmed today that its process works and that it is doing the job Pennsylvanians expect of the agency to protect the environment and keep residents safe.”