The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Energy Transfer Partners, the parent company of Sunoco Pipeline, have agreed on a plan that will allow construction of Mariner East 2 to resume.

The agreement will send approximately 2,500 laborers across the state, including hundreds locally, back to work to ensure the safe, responsible development of the pipeline system that will carry natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the Marcellus Shale region in western Pennsylvania and Ohio to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex.

“Our willingness and ability to comply was acknowledged by the DEP,” Sunoco Pipeline wrote in a statement. “Safety is paramount for any energy infrastructure project we do – the safety of the communities in which we work and operate, the safety of our employees, and the safety of the environment.

“Mariner East 2 is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy, and resumption of construction will put thousands of workers back on the job. With mainline pipeline construction approximately 93 percent complete and horizontal directional drilling approximately 64 percent complete for in-service, we look forward to completing the Mariner East 2 project safely and beginning service in a timely manner.”

Mariner East is a $5 billon project that has revitalized the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex, which was shuttered in 2011 after refining oil for more than a century.

[uam_ad id=”58459″]

Advertisement

“These projects have been a godsend,” said Anthony Gallagher, Business Manager for Steamfitters Local 420. “Today’s pipelines are built with the most up-to-date technology to ensure the safety of communities and the environment. These systems are constructed by skilled laborers who have advanced training and education, both in the classroom and in the field.

“Safety is our highest priority. Remember, our workers live here, too. That’s why we’re so focused not just on getting back on the job, but making sure the job gets done right.”

According to Econsult Solutions, projects associated with Mariner East will generate a one-time economic impact of nearly $9.1 billion in Pennsylvania and support 57,070 jobs during the entire construction period – the equivalent to 9,520 jobs for each year for six years.

“The restart of this project is good news for the workers who were idled and hoping for a speedy resolution after construction was halted, and good news for commonwealth residents who are eager to realize the benefits of one of the state’s largest energy infrastructure projects,” said Kurt Knaus, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance.

The GAIN (Grow America’s Infrastructure Now) Coalition – a diverse coalition of businesses, trade associations, and labor groups that share a vested interest in creating jobs and strengthening our nation’s economy through infrastructure development – is also pleased that construction will restart.

“The ME2 pipeline will allow more of Pennsylvania’s energy to be developed, paying dividends in western Pennsylvania, while also leading to the creation of hundreds of permanent jobs in the Marcus Hook region, revitalizing that community in the southeast,” said Craig Stevens, spokesman for the coalition. “In short, completing this project will be a big step in securing Pennsylvania’s economic future and our nation’s energy security.”

[uam_ad id=”58462”]