Sunoco Mariner East Pipeline

Sunoco Logistics Mariner East Pipeline Phase 2

Sunoco began work on this phase of the Mariner East pipeline in early 2017. This Sunoco Logistics fact sheet provides further information about the Mariner East project. To view a comprehensive overview and detailed Q&A sheet about Mariner East 1 and 2, visit the Chester County Pipeline Information website. Residents and interested members of the public can sign up to be notified of updates at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov/NotifyMe. All pipeline updates related to this project will be archived on this page.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: August 16, 2022
PA Attorney General Announces Free Water Testing for Residents Impacted by Mariner East Pipeline Construction

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office has announced that, as a part of an agreement with Energy Transfer, residents impacted by Mariner East Pipeline construction can submit a request for free water testing until Friday, August 19. Here is a portion of the news release from the Attorney General: 

Earlier this month, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that Sunoco Pipeline L.P., and ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC (ETC), both subsidiaries of Energy Transfer, L.P. (Energy Transfer), were convicted of criminal charges related to their conduct during the construction of two major pipelines in Pennsylvania. As part of the agreement, Energy Transfer will pay for independent evaluations of water quality impacts for homeowners potentially impacted by the construction of the Mariner East 2 Pipeline and in some cases, offer approved mechanisms for restoring or replacing the impacted private water supplies.

The final deadline for residents to reach out to the Office of Attorney General to apply for a free water test for their home is this coming Friday, August 19th. Any interested party should reach out to the Office at watertesting@attorneygeneral.gov. So far, over 150 Pennsylvania residents have contacted our office for their water tests. Residents interested in receiving a water test should know that there are no distance limits from the Mariner East 2 pipeline that would impact their eligibility to apply for a water test.

Read the full announcement from the PA AG Office here.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: May 18, 2022
Mariner East Pipeline 16-inch Line Commissioning

The Township has been informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) their operations team will be working to commission the 16-inch Mariner East pipeline this week. While there is no specific work at the Eagle Pump Station or in Upper Uwchlan Township, Energy Transfer operations personnel will be walking the line throughout this evolution of work and checking the pump station throughout the day and at night. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: May 3, 2022
Maintenance at Eagle Pump Station on May 3

The Township has been informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) that planned maintenance activity is scheduled for the Eagle Pump Station located at Little Conestoga and Milford Roads for today, May 3, 2022. Residents and others in the area may see activity at the site and hear some noise from the facility. Emergency response agencies have been notified of the maintenance.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: April 25, 2022
Maintenance at Eagle Pump Station on April 26 and 28

The Township has been informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) that planned maintenance activity is scheduled for the Eagle Pump Station located at Little Conestoga and Milford Roads for tomorrow, April 26, and Thursday, April 28, 2022. Residents and others in the area may see activity at the site and hear some noise from the facility. Emergency response agencies have been notified of the maintenance.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: April 7, 2022
Marsh Creek Lake Sediment Remediation

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that it has approved Sunoco Pipeline LP’s request for a major permit amendment for restoration activities after a spill of drilling fluid near Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County. This cleanup project, which will include lake dredging, is required under the terms of a Consent Order and Agreement issued by DEP and DCNR following the August 10, 2020 release of drilling fluid that impacted a wetland, two tributaries, and Marsh Creek Lake by Sunoco. With this permit approval, the remediation can begin. Work is expected to commence in the coming weeks and continue into the summer. Residents can expect to see activity along Milford and Lakeview Roads. 

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: February 24, 2022
Maintenance at Eagle Pump Station on February 24

The Township has been informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) that planned routine maintenance activity is scheduled for the Eagle Pump Station located at Little Conestoga and Milford Roads for today, February 24, 2022. Residents and others in the area may see activity at the site and hear some noise from the facility. Emergency response agencies have been notified of the maintenance.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration 
Date: February 4, 2022
DEP to Receive Comments, Host Virtual Public Hearing on ME2 Pipeline Amendment Application

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today it will receive public comments and host a virtual public hearing regarding a major permit amendment request from Sunoco Pipeline LP (SPLP) for work near Marsh Creek Lake, Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County.

SPLP submitted this major amendment application for its Ch. 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control) permit as required under the terms of the Consent Order and Agreement entered into between the DEP, DCNR, and SPLP on December 6, 2021. This amendment is requested for earth disturbance activities and temporary storage of dredged material to support the dewatering of sediment dredged from a predetermined area of Marsh Creek Lake, as outlined in the Marsh Creek Lake Impact Assessment and Restoration Plan dated December 3, 2021 and approved by DEP on December 6, 2021. SPLP is requesting an increase of the limit of disturbance by 4.06 acres. Upon completion of the project, all areas will be restored.

Virtual Public Hearing
The public is invited to participate in this process through a public comment period and virtual public hearing. The virtual public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 beginning at 6:00 PM. Individuals wishing to provide testimony must contact Virginia Nurk, DEP community relations coordinator, vnurk@pa.gov or 484-250-5808 at least 24 hours prior to the hearing to register. Those wishing only to listen, but not testify, may access the hearing by following the instructions provided on the Virtual Public Hearings web page found on www.dep.pa.gov/virtualhearings. The hearing will be accessible by both internet and phone to ensure all stakeholders have access.

Comment Period
DEP is also accepting written comments on this amendment request, which may be submitted to RA-EPWW-SERO@pa.gov or mailed to the Southeast Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands Program, 2 E. Main St. Norristown, PA 19401 between February 5, 2022 and March 11, 2022.

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Read the Full DEP news release at the link below.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: January 18, 2022
Sunoco Pipeline Hydrotest at Milford Road Location 

Sunoco Pipeline plans to conduct a hydrotest of the recently installed line in the vicinity of Milford and Little Conestoga Roads from Thursday, January 20 through Saturday, January 22, weather dependent. Hydrotesting involves filling the pipes with water to verify the strength of the pipeline. Residents and other passers-by may hear noise throughout the testing. Hydrotest operations will only occur during standard work hours. Nearby landowners and emergency response agencies have been notified of the work.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration 
Date: January 11, 2022
Little Conestoga, Milford Rd Intersection - Overnight Detour ENDED

The overnight construction work in the intersection of Little Conestoga and Milford Roads is now completed. The detour is no longer in effect. The remainder of the Sunoco Pipeline construction work will take place during normal working hours. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: December 17, 2021
Little Conestoga, Milford Rd Intersection – Overnight Closure 

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – As was previously announced, Sunoco Pipeline has begun construction on a section of the Mariner East Pipeline located in the area of Little Conestoga Road and Milford Road. This intersection will be impacted by the construction. The intersection of Little Conestoga and Milford Roads is scheduled to be closed overnight, between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am, from January 3-17, 2022. PennDOT and Township officials agreed upon an overnight full closure to minimize both disruption of daily travel and total construction time. A map of the PennDOT designated detour is at the link below. 

Upper Uwchlan Township does not have regulatory or enforcement authority over the location of underground transmission pipelines, their method of construction, or the type of product carried by them. To learn more about pipelines in Upper Uwchlan Township, please visit www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov/pipelines. 

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan. 

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Download this News Release and Detour Map

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: December 10, 2021
Sunoco Construction at Little Conestoga, Milford, and Highview Roads

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – On Monday, December 6, 2021, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that the Commonwealth reached a settlement with Sunoco Pipeline that will require the company to dredge a portion of Marsh Creek Lake and pay penalties for permit violations and damages incurred by a discharge of drilling fluids and mud in August 2020. The DEP News Release can be found here.

New Route and Installation Method Approved
In addition to this settlement agreement, DEP announced the approval of applications by Sunoco seeking a modification to the route and installation method for the completion of the section of the Mariner East pipeline in this area. The pipe will be installed via the open-cut method; no drilling fluids will be used. 

Location and Timing
Sunoco Pipeline has begun construction along this new route. The reroute location will impact the following roadways in Upper Uwchlan Township: Little Conestoga Road, Milford Road, and Highview Road. The intersection of Little Conestoga and Milford Roads will be impacted by this construction. Single lane closures or a full closure of the intersection may be in place during the installation. Sunoco has sent notifications of this construction work to property owners in the area. Construction in roadways and intersections is expected to begin as early as next week but will depend on final review and approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 

The Township will share a more detailed timeline of this work as it becomes available. 

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Download this News Release


Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: May 7, 2021
DEP to Receive Comments, Host Virtual Public Hearing on Amendment Applications for Mariner East 2 Pipeline

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today it will receive public comments and host a virtual public hearing regarding major permit amendment requests from Sunoco Pipeline LP (SPLP) for work near Marsh Creek Lake, Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County. The permit requests seek to amend or change the route and installation method of the Mariner East Pipeline in the location known as HDD 290. This is the location of SPLP’s August 10, 2020 release of approximately 8,000 gallons of drilling fluid that impacted a wetland, two tributaries, and Marsh Creek Lake, as well as several subsidence events. 

Read the full text of DEP’s press release here. 

DEP’s announcement today, May 7, 2021, marks the official opening of a 45-day public comment period. Comments can be submitted via email to ra-epww-sero@pa.gov or by hard copy to Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands Program, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401.

The public hearing will take place virtually on Wednesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM. Instructions on how to participate in the virtual public hearing can be found in DEP’s  press release and on the department’s Virtual Public Hearings page.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: January 15, 2021
Meadow Creek Lane Temporary Road Closure

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – Sunoco Pipeline/Energy Transfer continues construction on Meadow Creek Lane. For the safety of the residents and motorists in the area, the southwest end of the road will be temporarily closed beginning January 19, 2021. Unless they have been advised otherwise, residents should utilize the northeast intersection with Styer Road for access to the neighborhood. The closure is necessitated by other utilities in the area and is expected to continue for up to two weeks, depending on weather and construction factors. 

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: December 4, 2020
Sunoco Pipeline Construction in Meadow Creek Lane UPDATE

Sunoco Pipeline will begin trenching operations in Meadow Creek Lane the week of December 7, 2020. The work will begin at the southwest intersection of Meadow Creek and Styer Road. As much as possible, one lane of the roadway will be kept open to traffic. When this is not possible, motorists will be re-directed to the northeast end of Meadow Creek Lane.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: November 18, 2020
Sunoco Pipeline Construction in Meadow Creek Lane

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – Sunoco Mariner East pipeline construction is slated to begin as early as late this week in the roadway of Meadow Creek Lane. The pipeline installation will be accomplished through the open trench method. The open cuts in the roadway will be similar to utility projects. Please see the attached map for location details. 

Crews plan to open about 400 to 500 linear feet of the road at a time to install pipe segments. As each segment is installed, the roadway will be backfilled and paved. Any portion of the road that is not closed at the end of a workday will be covered with steel plates. As much as possible, one lane of the roadway will be kept open to traffic. When this is not possible, motorists will be re-directed to the northeast end of Meadow Creek Lane. When the construction is completed, the entire roadway will be repaved in accordance with Township specifications. 

Sunoco land agents will communicate directly with residents daily to minimize impact on driveway access, etc. 

What about the construction noise? 
Sunoco will be subject to the Township’s noise ordinance and will only be permitted to operate between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on weekdays, and between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Work will not be permitted on Sundays or holidays. 

Will school buses, emergency vehicles, and trash trucks have access?
The school district, emergency service agencies, and trash and recycling haulers have each been notified about the construction. They will make the necessary adjustments to their routes.

Will there be security in the neighborhood? 
Yes. Zorion Security personnel contracted by Sunoco will be on site 24/7 beginning Saturday, November 21. The Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department has met with the security management. 

What about COVID safety?
Construction personnel and land agents who are working on site are subject to daily health screenings and temperature checks. Masks will be worn by all personnel on site when proper social distance cannot be maintained and tasks being performed allow it.

When will the project be completed?
Timing will depend upon weather and subsurface conditions. Completion by late winter is anticipated.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: November 13, 2020
Sunoco to Mobilize at Meadowcreek Lane

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – Sunoco Pipeline/Energy Transfer crews will be in the vicinity of Styer Road at Meadowcreek Lane starting Monday, November 16 to begin preparation work in advance of the planned construction in Meadowcreek. This pre-construction work will include the location of water lines and other utilities. Residents can expect to see some pavement cutting and a hydro-excavator machine in the area next week. 

Once utilities have been located and assessed, Sunoco will provide the Township with a more detailed schedule of expected work.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: August 14, 2020
Marsh Creek State Park Cleanup Update

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – Upper Uwchlan Township elected officials and staff continue to converse with State agencies and Energy Transfer Partners representatives to remain apprised of the cleanup efforts at Marsh Creek Lake and the surrounding wetland area following the pipeline drilling fluid discharge incident earlier this week.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) issued a joint statement about the incident, current status, and cleanup efforts. Read that statement at this link.

Cleanup will continue tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, beginning at 7 AM. Personnel from DEP and DCNR, along with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, continue their oversight of the cleanup operations.

Instructions for Park Visitors
Marsh Creek State Park remains open to the public during the cleanup. The section of the Lake that has been impacted – Park Road Cove – has been buoyed and roped off to boaters, paddle-boarders, and any other users. This is for the safety of the park users, safety of the cleanup personnel, and to keep the bentonite fluid from being disturbed. As a reminder: swimming is never permitted in any part of the Lake.

Drinking Water 
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reiterated that there is minimal concern about an impact to drinking water from this incident. If you have a private well, any turbidity, discoloration, or smell in your water should be immediately reported to the DEP and Chester County Department of Health. The Chester County Department of Health can provide you with recommendations regarding water testing.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan. 

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: August 13, 2020
Letter to Governor Wolf from Upper Uwchlan Township

The Upper Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf today requesting that permits related to the Mariner East pipeline construction in our community be rescinded. Read the letter from Chairperson Sandy D’Amico at the link.

Read the letter to Governor Wolf


Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: August 12, 2020
Inadvertent Return at Sunoco Drilling Location - Frequently Asked Questions

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – As Upper Uwchlan Township has shared on our website over the past two days, there was an Inadvertent Return (IR) at a Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) pipeline drilling location in the Township on Monday, August 10. We are providing this update to answer some of the questions that many residents have about the incident. 

What is an Inadvertent Return? 

The Sunoco Mariner East pipeline project utilizes Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) as the construction method at this drill site. Inadvertent Returns occur when drilling mud, used to lubricate the drill underground, follows a fissure in the geology and finds its way to the surface.

What is the drilling mud? 

The fluid is a mix of water and bentonite clay, a naturally occurring nontoxic clay. Additives may be used in the mixture but must adhere to standards for safe drinking water. You can find fact sheets about bentonite and additives on the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website at this link.

If it’s just mud, what’s the big deal? 

Any silt, soils or clay in the water can cause harm to the aquatic wildlife and their habitat. An analysis of the incident’s impact on aquatic life will be conducted.

Do I need to be concerned about my drinking water? 

The DEP has stated that there is no anticipation of a threat to the public water suppliers downstream from the IR. Nonetheless, both the Downingtown Water Authority and Aqua’s West Chester facility have been notified. 

While homeowners whose wells are closest to the IR have been notified of the incident, at this time Energy Transfer Partners does not believe that private wells have been affected. 

If you have a private well, any turbidity, discoloration, or smell in your water should be immediately reported to the DEP and Chester County Department of Health. 

What is the Township doing to address this or stop the pipeline company? 

Upper Uwchlan Township does not have enforcement or regulatory authority over the location, construction, or operation of underground transmission pipelines in the Township. These powers are held by Federal and State agencies. However, Upper Uwchlan Township is in communication with those regulators, as well as PA elected officials, and will continue to advocate vigorously for a complete and proper cleanup of this discharge, full restoration of our waterways, and a thorough investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection. 

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: August 11, 2020
Inadvertent Return at Sunoco Drilling Location

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – On Monday, August 10, Sunoco Pipeline/Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) notified Upper Uwchlan Township that an Inadvertent Return (IR) had occurred in the Township. State regulators at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Fish and Boat Commission, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) were also notified. 

The Township is communicating with State authorities and elected officials and is advocating for a thorough and proper cleanup. 

An investigation by DEP, the regulatory agency, is underway. DEP has provided this additional information to Upper Uwchlan Township about this incident: An unconfirmed amount of drilling fluid (mud and water), estimated close to 10,000 gallons, discharged into a wetland area, which flowed downgrade into the Park Road Cove area of Marsh Creek Lake. ETP has installed in-stream silt curtains and is working on additional containment and cleanup measures. Homeowners of private wells near the site that may have been affected have been notified. At this time, there are not concerns about impact to public drinking water supply. An analysis of the incident’s impact on aquatic life will be conducted. 

As regulators provide the Township with additional information, we will share it on our website.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: August 10, 2020
Inadvertent Return at Sunoco Drilling Location

On August 10, 2020 Sunoco Pipeline notified the Township that an inadvertent return (IR) had occurred in Upper Uwchlan Township. The exact location of the IR has not been reported to the Township at this time. Federal and State regulators have been notified. The situation has been contained and cleanup is underway. As additional information becomes available, the Township will provide it on the pipelines page of the Township website: upperuwchlan-pa.gov/pipelines.


Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: May 1, 2020
DEP Public Comment Period - Report on HDD 310

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has posted for public comment Sunoco’s geophysical survey report for HDD 310 in Uwchlan and Upper Uwchlan Townships. HDD 310 is located in the Eagleview section of Upper Uwchlan Township.

The report can be found on the pipeline portal at www.dep.pa.gov/pipelines. For your convenience, a direct link to the reevaluation page can be found here (HDD310 can be found at the bottom of the table). It is in the “Sunoco Response to DEP” column under the heading “2/26/20.”

May 1, 2020 begins a five-day public comment period that will end on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Comments can be submitted to ra-eppipelines@pa.gov.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: January 7, 2020
DEP Pipeline Permit Bar Lifted, Public Comment Accepted through January 28, 2020

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced the issuance of a Consent Order Agreement (COA) with a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners (ETP). The COA includes a $30.6 million civil penalty for violations related to the 2018 Revolution Pipeline explosion and fire. The COA also has resulted in a lifting of the permit bar that had been in effect. As noted in the DEP news release, "This will allow DEP to issue, over time, approvable horizontal directional drilling (HDD) re-evaluations to enable HDD or other more appropriate methods to be completed on the project." Find the full text of the news release at this link.

In Upper Uwchlan Township, the lifting of the permit bar affects ETP’s modification request in the area of Meadow Creek Lane. Public Comment is being accepted regarding this modification request through January 28, 2020. Members of the public can send comments via email to Ra-eppipelines@pa.gov or by postal mail to the Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401.

Download News Release

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: November 5, 2019
Subsidence Reported in Upper Uwchlan Township

On Friday, November 1, 2019, personnel from Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners identified an earth subsidence within the pipeline work area near Sierra Drive in Upper Uwchlan Township (UUT). The company reported the subsidence to State agencies and the Chester County Department of Emergency Services. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) personnel investigated the area on Friday. The area has been stabilized. No other information is available at this time. A report from DEP, expected by the end of the week, will be shared when available.


Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: October 11, 2019
Sunoco Pipeline Hydrotest at Meadow Creek Lane Location

Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) plans to conduct hydrotests of the Mariner East 20 inch pipeline from the Meadow Creek Lane location the week of October 15, 2019. This is a continuation of previous announced hydrotesting. Hydrotesting involves filling the pipe with water to verify the strength of the pipeline.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: October 8, 2019
Sunoco Pipeline Hydrotest at Meadow Creek Lane Location

On October 8, the Township was informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) that the company will be conducting hydrotests of the Mariner East 16 and 20 inch pipelines from the Meadow Creek Lane location on October 8 and 9, 2019. Hydrotesting involves filling the pipes with water to verify the strength of the pipeline.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: September 27, 2019
Maintenance Continues at Eagle Pump Station

On September 27, the Township was informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) that planned maintenance activity at Eagle Pump Station located at Little Conestoga and Milford Roads which began on September 25, 2019 has been extended. Residents may continue to see activity at the site and hear some hissing and other noise from the facility over the next few days. All Chester County emergency response agencies have been notified of the extended timeline of this maintenance.

Update September 30, 2019 

Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) has informed the Township that maintenance at the Eagle Pump Station will include flaring on site, Tuesday, October 1st during daylight hours. During this time, neighbors may hear a loud hissing sound and see a visible flame at the facility. Residents who live near the station will be contacted directly by Energy Transfer about this activity. All Chester County emergency response agencies have been notified.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: September 25, 2019
Maintenance at Eagle Pump Station on September 25

The Township has been informed by Energy Transfer (Sunoco Pipeline) that planned maintenance and testing activity are scheduled for the Eagle Pump Station located at Little Conestoga and Milford Roads for this afternoon and evening, September 25, 2019. Residents may see activity at the site and hear some hissing and other noise from the facility. All Chester County emergency response agencies have been notified of the planned maintenance.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: June 18, 2019
Petition to Intervene filed with Pennsylvania PUC

At their meeting on June 17, 2019, the Upper Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors ratified a Petition to Intervene which was filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). This Petition is specific to the case filed by the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (“BI&E”) of the PUC against Energy Transfer Partners and docketed as C-2018-3006534. Information about the case is publicly available at the PUC website.

Download News Release and Petition Filing

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: April 11, 2019

Upper Uwchlan Township has been advised that Sunoco is seeking a major modification in both route and installation method specific to both the 16” and the 20” diameter pipelines currently under construction in Upper Uwchlan Township. The modification request was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).  Upper Uwchlan Township has no enforcement or regulatory authority over the location or installation of underground transmission pipelines.

The proposed change in installation method is from horizontal directional drill to open cut installation across stream S-Q83 (Unnamed tributary to March Creek) and a conventional bore under Styer Road. The originally proposed HDD was running immediately adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the area of Meadowcreek Lane. The newly proposed location of installation is under Meadowcreek Lane; installation via open cut excavation.

Please see the attached notice for additional information and site maps.

Any questions should be directed to the PA DEP at 484-250-5900. 

Download News Release, Notice, and Site Map

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: January 4, 2019 

Upcoming Work in Upper Uwchlan Township 

Sunoco Pipeline has informed the Township of some upcoming work the company will be undertaking in Upper Uwchlan. This work will consist of geological assessment that is a part of the re-evaluation required before Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) resumes. Residents may observe equipment and personnel in the vicinity of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the northwest section of the Township in the next few weeks.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: November 14, 2018

Pipeline Community Awareness and Safety

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – The Chester County Department of Emergency Services will present an information session on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Pickering Valley Elementary School auditorium. This event is designed to inform residents about pipeline safety and how a pipeline related emergency would be addressed by emergency responders.

A panel of presenters will include personnel from the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, the Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department, and emergency response agencies. A list of panelists and program agenda are attached to the news release at the link below.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

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Download a copy of this news release, panelist list, and program agenda.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: July 27, 2018

Sunoco to Repurpose Sections of Existing 12-inch Pipeline

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – Sunoco Pipeline has announced that the company intends to repurpose a section of an existing 12-inch pipeline to carry natural gas liquids (NGL). The pipeline currently carries refined liquid products. Information about NGL products can be found here.  

Upper Uwchlan Township does not have any regulatory authority over the repurposing of the existing pipeline and has not had any regulatory authority over Sunoco’s construction of Mariner East 2. Upper Uwchlan Township does not have enforcement or regulatory authority over the location of underground transmission pipelines, or whether a pipeline is constructed by horizontal directional drilling or open trench construction, or the type of product that will flow through the new pipelines or any of the existing pipelines.  To the extent there are regulations for underground transmission pipeline siting, methods of construction or use, they are enforced by federal and state agencies.

Sunoco Pipeline provided Upper Uwchlan Township with the attached information sheet detailing this change. The attached document is neither verified nor endorsed by Upper Uwchlan Township.

The Township has recently updated the information found at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov/pipelines. This page now includes links to additional resources and contact information for regulatory agencies. Residents may also want to review the pipeline safety FAQs. A link to the FAQs is on the left side of the pipeline page of the Township website.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

Download a copy of this news release and the Sunoco information sheet.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Date: June 14, 2018


The following is an excerpt from a news release issued by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on June 14, 2018.

HARRISBURG, PA  – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today affirmed, in part, and reversed, in part, an Interim Emergency Order issued in May 2018, related to operation of Sunoco Pipeline L.P.’s (Sunoco) Mariner East 1 pipeline (ME1), and construction of Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 (ME2) and Mariner East 2X (ME2X) pipelines.

The Commission voted 3-2 in support of a motion from Chairman Gladys M. Brown which addressed key issues related to a Petition for Interim Emergency Relief concerning pipeline operations and construction activities in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.

Today’s action by the Commission continues an injunction against construction of ME2 and ME2X in West Whiteland Township until lifted by the PUC, while authorizing the resumption of operations on the ME1 pipeline.

Read the entire PUC news release here. The aforementioned Petition for Interim Emergency Relief was filed by Senator Andrew Dinniman. The Board of Supervisors of Upper Uwchlan Township submitted a letter of support of Sen. Dinniman's petition to the PUC.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

 

Date: March 7, 2018 

The following is from a news release issued by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on March 7, 2018.

PUC Issues Emergency Order Regarding Sunoco Pipeline L.P.; Operations of Mariner 1 East Pipeline Suspended Over Safety Concerns

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued an Emergency Order regarding Sunoco Pipeline L.P., also known as Energy Transfer Partners (Sunoco), to suspend operations of the Mariner East 1 Pipeline (ME1) and require additional testing and analysis on that line, in response to safety concerns regarding the integrity of that pipeline.
According to a Petition for an Ex Parte Emergency Order filed by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation (BIE) and Enforcement, engineers from the PUC’s Pipeline Safety Division investigated reports of the formation of sinkholes near the ME1, located along Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.  ME1 is an eight-inch diameter Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) pipeline, used to transport liquid propane, butane and ethane. A total of three sinkholes have been discovered near, or in the path of, ME1.  The sinkholes are also near the area where construction, including Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), is underway for a new pipeline, known as Mariner East 2.

Read the entire PUC news release here. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: February 9, 2018

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced yesterday (February 8, 2018) that "it has issued a $12.6 million civil penalty to Sunoco Pipeline, LLP (Sunoco) for permit violations related to the construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline project. DEP and Sunoco have entered into a Consent Order and Agreement (COA) memorializing the penalty. As a result of the strict Consent Order and Agreement, which includes a historic civil penalty and a stringent compliance review, DEP has lifted the order suspending DEP-permitted operations." 

Upper Uwchlan Township expects construction activity will resume in the municipality within the next few weeks. The Township website will be updated with more information as it becomes available. 

Read the entire DEP News Release here. 



Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 
Date: January 3, 2018

The following is a news release issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on January 3, 2018.

DEP Suspends Mariner East 2 Construction Permits

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued an order suspending the construction permits associated with the Mariner East 2 pipeline until the permittee, Sunoco Pipeline, L.P. (Sunoco) meets the requirements outlined in the order. Sunoco must cease all construction activity on the pipeline project, except for maintenance of erosion controls and limited maintenance of horizontal directional drilling equipment.  

“Until Sunoco can demonstrate that the permit conditions can and will be followed, DEP has no alternative but to suspend the permits,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “We are living up to our promise to hold this project accountable to the strong protections in the permits.”

Under the order, all activities permitted under Chapter 102 and Chapter 105 of the PA Code must immediately cease. The permits will be suspended until Sunoco satisfies the terms outlined in the order, including, but not limited to: 

  • Address all impacts to private water wells in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County
  • Identify all in-progress or upcoming construction activities and detail the specific Chapter 102 and Chapter 105 permit under which the activity is authorized
  • Submit a detailed Operations Plan outlining additional measures and controls to minimize inadvertent returns
The full order can be found here.

A list of the Notices of Violations issued to Sunoco for Mariner East 2 can be found on the DEP website. 

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Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: December 5, 2017


Pullback activity at the Park Road/Eagleview sites was completed at 11:00 PM on December 4, 2017.

HDD Pullback News Release
Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: December 4, 2017

After delays last week, pullback activity at the Park Road/Eagleview sites began today, December 4, 2017 and is expected to be completed by December 5, 2017.


HDD Pullback News Release
Upper Uwchlan Township Administration

Date: November 27, 2017 


Pullback activity at the Park Road/Eagleview sites is expected to begin on November 28, 2017.

HDD Pullback News Release

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration

Date: November 22, 2017 

Pullback activity at the Green Valley Road/Little Conestoga and Milford Road sites was completed at 3:00 AM, November 22, 2017. 

HDD Pullback News Release

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration

Date: November 20, 2017 


 The first drill site will begin pullback activity in the early morning on Tuesday, November 21. The entry and exit points for this drill site are located at the Little Conestoga/ Milford Road intersection and at Green Valley Road. 

HDD Pullback News Release

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration

Date: November 20, 2017 

Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Pullback Activity

Chester Springs, PA - Upper Uwchlan Township has received a request from Sunoco for an exemption from normal work hours for the purposes of what is called horizontal directional drill (HDD) pullback. Pullback activity includes lighting, truck traffic, welding, as well as movement and installation of pipe. The pullback process is the actual installation of prefabricated (welded) pipe into the drill hole from the exit point to the drill rig. This is the final step in the Sunoco Mariner East 2 pipeline installation. Sunoco has advised, and the Township has confirmed with third party, independent subject matter experts, that this process, once started, must continue uninterrupted through completion or there is a risk of losing the drill hole via collapse. If this occurs and the hole cannot be recovered, the drill must begin anew, significantly prolonging installation time and disruption to the community.

There are three HDD drill locations and associated exit points in Upper Uwchlan Township. Homeowners within 1000’ of a drill and/or exit site will receive notification of this planned work and issued exemption from work hours from the Township. Actual pullback activity will be posted on the Township’s website and social media outlets. Prior to pullback activity beginning all locations will be equipped with sound barriers in an attempt to mitigate light and noise pollution. Pullback activity is estimated to take one to three days, condition dependent. Work will not take place during upcoming nationally recognized holidays.

Residents with questions may contact the 24-hour Sunoco helpline at 855-430-4491 or contact the Township Manager’s office at 610-458-9400.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

Download a PDF copy of this news release

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: October 27, 2017

Sunoco Logistics has provided Upper Uwchlan Township with a landowner newsletter for October 2017. Also included in the linked document is an Operations and Safety Overview information sheet. 


Upper Uwchlan Township Administration 
Date: September 13, 2017


Inadvertent Return Re-Occurrence at Sunoco Drilling Locations

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – On September 11, 2017, Upper Uwchlan Township received an inspection report from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) detailing a violation of The Clean Streams Law on the part of Sunoco Pipeline, LP. The violation occurred at the site of an inadvertent return (IR) first reported to Upper Uwchlan Township in June. At that time, Sunoco reported that cleanup and containment of the site were conducted and that the private landowner had been informed of the IR. Sunoco provided no further report of the IR to the Township. 

The DEP report details that, at the site of the original IR, additional bentonite drilling mud was released into wetland areas. This release occurred August 29, 2017. DEP was notified and documented the release during an inspection that same day. The drilling mud consisted of bentonite clay and water. An estimated 40-50 gallons was released into the wetland. The release affected wetland and surface water in an unnamed tributary of Marsh Creek Lake. The report notes that no impact was observed downstream; the report does not list the Lake itself as an affected waterway.

In addition, Sunoco has informed Upper Uwchlan Township that an additional release of bentonite has occurred at the site of another previously reported IR in the Township. This release took place on Saturday, September 9, 2017 on Township property near Hickory Park and consisted of one half gallon of drilling mud. Containment measures will be reviewed and approved by the DEP before drilling resumes.

All IRs are logged on the DEP website. Because both releases took place at the site of previously identified IRs, neither constitutes a separate IR on that list.

Township personnel visited both sites on the morning of September 12, 2017 to observe operations and containment measures. Upper Uwchlan Township will continue to work to provide the public with as much information as is made available to us.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlanpa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan. 

Download a PDF copy of this news release.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration 
Date: August 17, 2017

Sunoco to Restart Pipeline Drilling Operations in Upper Uwchlan

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – New and additional landowner notification requirements and additional well testing requirements are among the changes that will be in effect as Sunoco Pipeline re-starts Mariner East 2 pipeline drilling operations in Upper Uwchlan Township. 

The agreement reached between Sunoco and several environmental groups before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board means that pipeline drilling may now resume at sites in Upper Uwchlan Township.

If they are in the expanded notification area, some residents of Upper Uwchlan Township may receive information via certified mail that they are now eligible to request well water testing or may simply receive direct notice of pipeline drilling. 

To read the statement from Sunoco, please refer to the attached landowner newsletter.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

Download a PDF copy of this news release.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration

Date: July 11, 2017


Residents of Upper Uwchlan may have heard reports of well water issues related to the Mariner East drilling activity. 

Sunoco Pipeline is working with a number of residents in the Exton (Chester County) area to resolve private well water issues that appear to be related to nearby construction on the Mariner East 2 pipeline. These incidents have been reported in West Whiteland and Uwchlan Townships. There have been no reports of well water issues in Upper Uwchlan Township. Additional information will be shared if/when it becomes available to Upper Uwchlan Township. Anyone with questions may contact the Township office at 610-458-9400. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration

Date: July 5, 2017


Sunoco Logistics has provided Upper Uwchlan Township with a landowner newsletter for July 2017. The newsletter includes a construction update and safety information. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: June 20, 2017

INADVERTENT RETURN OF DRILLING MUD IN UPPER UWCHLAN TOWNSHIP

CHESTER SPRINGS, PA

 

– Sunoco Pipeline has reported an inadvertent return (IR) at one of the construction sites of the Mariner East 2 pipeline in Upper Uwchlan Township. The return occurred on Township property southeast of Hickory Park. 

The following is a statement from Sunoco: 

“On Saturday June 17, 2017, Sunoco Pipeline identified an inadvertent return of drilling mud on Upper Uwchlan Township property, in an unnamed tributary of Marsh Creek southeast of Hickory Park. An estimated five gallons of mud entered the water and crews immediately set up containment at the site, including sandbags, in accordance with our permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Sandbag containment for the drilling mud, composed of non-toxic bentonite clay and water, will remain in place at the inadvertent return locations and will be monitored throughout the duration of the construction. These sandbags help prevent sediment (in this case bentonite clay) from impacting waterways, while a pump is utilized to vacuum and recycle the drilling mud.

Proper notifications have been made to Pennsylvania DEP, Chester County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with Upper Uwchlan Township. Sunoco Pipeline will continue to work in conjunction with these regulatory agencies and the township to monitor and minimize any impacts to the area.

The Mariner East 2 pipeline project utilizes Horizontal Directional Drilling as a construction method to minimize surface disturbance and reduce environmental impact during construction. Inadvertent returns occur when drilling mud, used to lubricate the drill underground, follows a fracture in the rock under the area and finds its way to the surface. The bentonite is approved for use by the DEP under safe drinking water standards and is mixed with potable water to form the mud that helps facilitate the drilling process Please see the HDD fact sheet for more information.

Sunoco Pipeline continues to operate a 24-hour informational hotline at 855-430-4491. For more information on the Mariner East 2 construction project, visit www.marinerpipelinefacts.com.”

Township personnel visited the site of the IR on Monday, June 19, and will continue to monitor this situation until construction and cleanup are completed at the site. 

For more information about IRs, bentonite, and the HDD construction process, refer to the attached fact sheet provided by Sunoco. Residents and interested members of the public can sign up to receive information about pipeline work using Township website's Notify Me feature. All updates related to the Sunoco Mariner East 2 project will be archived at upperuwchlan-pa.gov/pipelines.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

Download a PDF copy of this news release.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: June 8, 2017



Sunoco Logistics has provided Upper Uwchlan Township with this newsletter highlighting the construction process for the Mariner East pipeline and the project's scope. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: May 25, 2017

Trails at the southeastern end of Hickory Park will be closed starting Tuesday, May 30, until further notice due to pipeline activity. 

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: May 12, 2017

Hickory Park Field 4, the multi-purpose field across from the basketball courts, will be closed starting Monday, May 15, until further notice due to pipeline activity.

Upper Uwchlan Township Administration
Date: March 8, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUNOCO LOGISTICS TO BEGIN WORK ON MARINER EAST PIPELINE PHASE 2


CHESTER SPRINGS, PA – Sunoco Logistics expects to begin work this month in Upper Uwchlan Township and the surrounding region to expand the existing Mariner East pipeline system through the construction of the Mariner East 2 (PA Pipeline Project) project. When constructed, this project will transport natural gas liquids from Ohio and the Pittsburgh area to the Marcus Hook facility for both domestic distribution and export. The Mariner East 2 pipeline proposes approximately 350 miles of pipe, spanning Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Mariner East 2 will have an initial capacity of approximately 275,000 barrels a day of natural gas liquids using a 20" diameter pipeline. The length of the project through Chester County is approximately 23.6 miles and in Delaware County, 11.4 miles. Approximately 80% of the Mariner East 2/PA Pipeline Project is to be located within existing rights-of-way.

Timing

Sunoco anticipates that construction of the project will begin in late winter/early spring 2017 and that it will be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2017.


Impact on Township Facilities 

The attached maps detail the proposed pipeline route through Upper Uwchlan Township. The Township anticipates closure of Hickory Park Field 4 as well as possible closures of the trails at Hickory Park during the duration of project work in that area. Updates about closures and timing will be made as that information becomes available. 


Updates

Upper Uwchlan Township will communicate with residents and the public throughout the pipeline installation process. Up to date information regarding timing will be posted on the homepage of the Township website. All project updates will be archived at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov/pipelines. Residents and interested members of the public can sign up to be notified of updates at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov/NotifyMe. 

The attached Sunoco Logistics fact sheet provides further information about the Mariner East project. To view a comprehensive overview and detailed Q&A sheet about Mariner East 1 and 2, visit the Chester County Pipeline Information website.

Upper Uwchlan Township is a Township of the Second class, population 11,500, located in Central Chester County, PA. Visit us on the web at www.upperuwchlan-pa.gov. Like us on Facebook and Twitter @upperuwchlan.

Download a PDF copy of this news release.