Most people who live on the western Main Line know about the gas pipeline, known as Mariner East 2, Sunoco is in the process of building across PA (it is an expansion of an existing line). The Marcellus shale that runs underground in much of the state is rich in natural gas, most of which the oil giant wants to sell to other countries (including Scotland and Sweden), to use in the manufacture of plastics. There have been several spills, though, and many residents are concerned about safety, evironmental effects and property values falling if located very close to the pipeline. Construction has been halted following a court injunction resulting from resistance to the installation of a valve (which had been originally supposed to go elsewhere) Sunoco was planning to put in the West Whiteland Township section of the pipe. Already a year and a half behind schedule, the 90% complete project is now slated to be finished by summer of 2018. Several complaints concerning eminent domain laws and whether the pipeline should qualify are currently being considered by the courts. Additionally, many law makers are requesting Governer Wolf fund risk assessments for safety and pollution worries. Sunoco has been very slow in submitting (court-required) new plans that demonstrate re-evaluation of the suitability of horizontal drilling in several areas along the pipeline route. Click here to learn more.
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