Clean Air Council Status Update on Legal Challenge to Mariner East 2 Water Permits

February 17, 2017 (Philadelphia, PA) Early today, the Environmental Hearing Board (EHB) denied the joint request of the Clean Air Council, Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Mountain Watershed Association for a temporary supersedeas in its appeal of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP’s) issuance of water permits that would allow Sunoco to begin construction on its Mariner East 2 natural gas liquids pipeline. (A supersedeas is like a temporary injunction). The temporary supersedeas would have prevented Sunoco from moving forward in its construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline, until a full hearing is held on a request for a permanent supersedeas of the water permits. This afternoon, the groups filed a request for an expedited hearing and a reconsideration of the request for a temporary supersedeas.

In their appeal, the environmental organizations argue that DEP failed to adequately address the severe negative impacts of the pipeline project on Pennsylvania’s streams, wetlands and forests.

“We are disappointed that we weren’t granted the temporary supersedeas, as each passing day leaves our rivers, forests and wetlands vulnerable to irreversible harm,” said Joe Minott, Executive Director and Chief Counsel, Clean Air Council. “The DEP has a duty to protect Pennsylvania’s environment, and with the inadequacy of its permits, it is failing to do so in this case. We look forward to making our case to the court as quickly as possible, to make sure that permits for this project meet the regulatory requirements meant to protect Pennsylvania’s environment and residents.”

Contact:
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Clean Air Council, 215-567-4004, ext. 116
Mary Cosmides, Braithwaite Communications, 215-564-3200 ext. 117