Sunoco is ready to move forward with its plans for the Boot Road pumping station. According to a Daily Local News report, the West Goshen Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to accept and sign the settlement agreement that will ensure the safety of the project.

As part of Sunoco’s Mariner East Phase I project, the company has been seeking approval for construction of a building on property they bought to house facilities for the nearby pumping station. The projects ultimate goal is to deliver ethane and propane from Western Pennsylvania eastward to Marcus Hook before it distributes elsewhere.

Ted Murphy, vice-chair of the board, voiced his pleasure with the outcome: “These safety agreements that we’ve been able to reach (in the settlement agreement) really helps improve the safety of the pipeline as it comes through West Goshen. This is something that is unusual. It’s very extraordinary and what Sunoco has agreed to here preserves the status quo. It’s the best deal we can get.”

Objections to the project had been raised by both the township and the concerned Citizens of West Goshen Township, Sunoco agreed to meet with both parties. Township lawyers and a nationally recognized expert in the field of liquids pipeline safety, Richard Kuprewicz, were able to work through the issues and lead the three parties to the settlement agreement.

Murphy explained, “With (the agreement), we get five automatic shutoff valves, which are not required to be there now, that’s a big safety improvement. Without the agreement in place, (Sunoco) would have been able to develop that entire 4.2-acre tract. That restrictive covenant stays with the property. It’s in place forever now.”

The agreement only concerns the Mariner East Phase I project, leaving the township open to check the safety of any other development plans down the road. Sunoco will proceed with their plans as per the agreement.

Read more about the settlement in the Daily Local here.

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Top photo courtesy of Philly.com