Pennsylvania, environmentalists settle pipeline dispute

HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania environmental regulators and groups that oppose the construction of a $2.5 billion pipeline across southern Pennsylvania have settled their dispute over the permits that were issued for the project.

The Clean Air Council, Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Mountain Watershed Association had challenged 20 permits issued by the Department of Environmental Protection for Sunoco Pipeline’s Mariner East 2 pipeline. The environmental groups called them incomplete and legally flawed.

Sunoco has since nearly completed work on the 350-mile-long, 20-inch diameter Mariner East 2 pipeline to carry propane, butane and ethane from western Pennsylvania to a terminal near Philadelphia.

The settlement does not impact any of the permits, but requires DEP to put into place additional safeguards.