Very Dangerous Mariner East Pipelines Cross Pennsylvania Carrying Ethane for Export

Mariner East pipelines pass thru residential neighborhoods

From the Appeal by Ginny Marcille-Kerslake, Food & Water Watch, June 8, 2033

In honor of World Environment Day, I’d like to share a personal story highlighting how pipeline companies damage communities in my state and how we’re fighting back.

Pipeline construction has already been destructive! For years, fossil fuel corporation Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) plan was for the Mariner East 2 and 2X pipelines to transport highly explosive natural gas liquids from fracking overseas to produce single-use plastics. Construction for this project wreaked havoc on my community and left us with dangerous pipelines.

In 2017, because of drilling being done for this project, the aquifer underneath my neighborhood was hit! The water that flowed from this spill destroyed the private wells residents relied on for drinking, cooking, and bathing. That’s when their dirty project really came to the forefront of my life.

My neighbors and I demanded an explanation. But, when we realized how difficult it was to get straight answers from Sunoco/ETP, and how likely they were to keep doing the dangerous drilling, we got to work, and I took on a new role — as an activist against the Mariner East pipelines.

We worked with Pennsylvania Senator Andy Dinniman to get temporary halts to the drilling and pursued longer-term moratoriums. We bird-dogged Sunoco/ETP every time something went wrong — like when Sunoco/ETP didn’t self-report as they’re required to do when sinkholes occurred.

My community and I are still fighting back against the threat of more pipeline construction. It’s a David vs. Goliath kind of battle, but we’ve carved out essential wins along the way.

These fights don’t just affect one person — they affect entire communities, states, and the country. And though my story involves the Mariner East 2 pipeline, it reflects the kinds of fights going on in communities nationwide. It’s why I joined Food & Water Watch because we’re in this together, and we’re making lasting change.

Join us in the fight to secure safe water and a livable climate for future generations — make a gift today.

>>> Onward together, Ginny Marcille-Kerslake, Eastern Pennsylvania Organizer, Food & Water Watch, 1616 P St. NW Suite #300 • Washington, DC 20036

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LET’S FIGHT BIG OIL & GAS: NOTE ~ Pennsylvania fines Sunoco Pipeline for Mariner East violations in Delaware County, PA ~ The PUC imposed a $51,000 fine against the Energy Transfer LP subsidiary for violations related to disruptive pipeline construction through an apartment complex. The PUC later voted to reduce the $51000 fine to $3000. “This decision is extremely troubling,” said a spokesman for Glen Riddle Station Apartments. From Andrew Maykuth, Philadelphia Inquirer, June 16, 2022