Press Release

PUC Unanimously Ratifies Emergency Order Suspending Operations of Mariner 1 East Pipeline Over Safety Concerns

Published on 3/15/2018

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today unanimously ratified 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) in response to concerns regarding the integrity of that pipeline.

Today’s 5-0 vote by the Commission ratified the Emergency Order, which was initially authorized on March 7, 2018 by PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. The PUC’s procedural regulations require any Emergency Order be placed on the agenda of the Commission’s next public meeting for a ratification vote.

The Emergency Order requires additional testing and analysis on ME1, in response to safety concerns raised by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement – which includes the PUC’s Pipeline Safety Division.

The Commission emphasized that an active and ongoing investigation is continuing by the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement, and noted the following key points for concerned parties:

• Future actions by the Commission will be contingent upon whether and how the terms and conditions of the Emergency Order are satisfied.
• Any reinstatement of service will require formal action by the Commission, at which time the Commission will outline the process for addressing those matters.
• Any additional public documents will be posted to the PUC’s online docket for this case – P-2018-3000281.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.:   P-2018-3000281

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov