PA PUC Hands ME2 Pipeline Rare Defeat re SWPA Valve Station

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Sunoco Logistics has been slapped down in a ruling by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Service (PUC) with respect to a valve station, part of the Mariner East 2 (ME2) pipeline project. In March, MDN told you about an attempt by liberal anti-pipeliners in West Goshen (Chester County) to block the ME2 project (see West Goshen’s Last Stand to Stop Mariner East 2 Pipeline). West Goshen signaled it would deny Sunoco a zoning permit to build a valve station for the pipeline. Sunoco politely, but firmly, told West Goshen the pipeline doesn’t need a permit from the town because it’s a state-permitted project. Sunoco said it would move forward at the appropriate time with a valve station installation. In early July, West Goshen tried again, by filing a 135-page petition with the PUC, asking the PUC for an emergency order to stop construction of the new valve station that Sunoco was set to begin work on at any time (see West Goshen Pulls Legal Stunt in Attempt to Stop ME2 Pipeline). But the PUC responded "no thanks" to West Gosehn, they appealed the PUC decision to an administrative law judge who promptly put a temporary halt on building a new valve station (see Judge Temporarily Stops ME2 Valve Station in West Goshen). The whole issue revolves around which side of the road to build the valve station. West Goshen wants it built next to an existing, Mariner East 1 valve station, but Sunoco wants to build the new station across the street, citing safety concerns. After reviewing the judge's order, the PUC has now flipped and supports the judge. In a decision issued last Thursday, the PUC told Sunoco they will need to honor an agreement previously made with West Goshen to build the valve station on the ME1 site...

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