The Delaware Riverkeeper Network Tuesday appealed the decision of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas to dismiss its legal challenge to the Sunoco Mariner East II pipeline project.

On June 15,  Judge Mark Tunnell of the Chester County Court dismissed a complaint filed by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network against Sunoco Pipeline L.P..

The complaint, filed in May, sought to obtain Sunoco’s compliance with municipal zoning ordinances of West Goshen Township. Affected West Goshen residents, Tom Casey and Eric Grote, joined in the complaint with The Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

“Sunoco is running roughshod over the environmental and safety rights of the people of Pennsylvania. While other industries have to comply with municipal zoning, Sunoco has attempted to exempt itself in its effort to lock our state and nation into a fossil fuel future and thereby secure its own financial future.  In addition to the damage Mariner East II will cause, this failure to comply with local laws sets a dangerous precedent we cannot allow to stand. We believe the law clearly requires Sunoco to abide by West Goshen’s zoning ordinance, and look forward to vigorously pursuing our claims at the appellate level,” said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

“West Goshen adopted a zoning ordinance in the interest of protecting the health, safety and welfare of its residents from industrial uses,” said Tom Casey. “Sunoco should have to comply with these requirements.”

According to the complaint, Sunoco violated West Goshen zoning by planning to construct the Mariner East II Pipeline, a hazardous, highly volatile liquids pipeline through residential areas, where such activities are prohibited.

The Mariner East II pipeline carries natural gas liquids such as ethane, propane, and butane to its Marcus Hook facility.

The West Goshen zoning ordinance, adopted in 2014, specifies that hazardous, highly volatile liquids pipelines may be constructed only in Industrial zoning districts of West Goshen, and only after securing conditional use approval and complying with minimum setback requirements.

West Goshen’s “conditional use” permitting process, if followed, ensures an opportunity for public participation.

The plaintiffs filed their complaint against Sunoco after West Goshen Township declined to enforce its own ordinance.  Sunoco contends that it is exempt from the zoning ordinance because of its alleged status as a public utility.

Judge Tunnell found that the plaintiffs had standing to bring the complaint, but also found that he had a lack of authority to regulate Sunoco.

The plaintiffs were represented in Court by the law firm of Curtin & Heefner as well as attorneys on the Delaware Riverkeeper Network staff. Sunoco Pipeline was represented by Duane Morris.

Questions should be directed to Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, 215-369-1188 ext 102.

NewsClips:

Mariner East 2 Pipeline Drilling Suspended In Chester County Until Water Loss Issue Addressed

Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline To Replace Water Well Supplies In Chester County

AP: Mariner East 2 Pipeline To Connect Homes With Tainted Wells To Public Water

Chester County Residents Deal With Tainted Water After Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction

West Goshen Twp Says Sunoco Violated Mariner East 2 Pipeline Agreement

Local Officials Press Mariner East 2 Pipelines To Clean Up Its Act

PUC Declines To Intervene In Chester County Mariner East 2 Pipeline Dispute

Mariner East 2 Pipeline Project May Affect Raystown Lake Tourist Season

Tree Sitters Protesting Mariner East 2 Pipeline Remain After Judge’s Deadline

Mariner East 2 Pipeline Portable Toilet Target Of Arson In Lebanon County

Editorial: Nuns Make Laudable Hail Mary Pass In Opposing Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline

A Pipeline That Would Cut Thru Appalachian Trail Sparks Fight

Rover Pipeline Project Stiff-Arming Ohio Regulators

Energy CEOs Say Money, Jobs At Risk Because FERC Isn’t Functional

Trump Denies Request From GOP Governor For Disaster Declaration For Dakota Access Pipeline

Related Stories:

Commonwealth Court Rules In Favor Of Private Lawsuits To Enforce Local Land Development Ordinances

Delaware Riverkeeper Files Suit Against Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline For Failing To Comply With Local Zoning

Opponents Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline File Lawsuit Against Sunoco To Enforce Delaware County Twp. Ordinance

[Posted: July 11, 2017]

7/17/2017