Good morning Supporter,

In order to finish construction of its Mariner East 2 pipeline, Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners needs extensions of its permits under Chapter 102 for erosion and sediment control.

These permits are essential for continued construction.  

However, we know at this point that regardless of what the permit says, Sunoco has demonstrated its total disregard for the water resources of the Commonwealth and any rules protecting those resources. To that end, this pipeline project is already one of the most penalized projects in Pennsylvania’s history, with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collecting more than $20 million in penalties because of repeated spills, sinkholes and other damages to our environment and natural resources.  

On October 5, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced 48 criminal charges related to construction of the Mariner East pipeline project, including one felony count of failing to report pollution. At the press conference announcing the charges, Attorney General Shapiro was asked repeatedly whether his office could stop the pipeline. His response was that it was up to DEP to take action on the Mariner East permits.  

The time for the DEP to act is here. The Department is accepting comments on these permits until January 25, 2022, so time is of the essence to make your voice heard. 

Only the DEP can determine whether to renew these construction permits and allow Sunoco to continue its work on Mariner East. Simply renewing these permits is insufficient, based on what we know about the construction of this pipeline so far. DEP must take Sunoco/Energy Transfer’s history of noncompliance, including the 48 open charges filed by the Attorney General, into account.  

Please do your part and remind the DEP of its power to stop this notorious project, and urge the agency to deny the application to renew these permits.