Residents Impacted by Sunoco Pipeline Issue Summons to Governor Wolf

For Immediate Release

HARRISBURG, PA - Residents from Delaware and Chester counties impacted by sinkholes, water contamination, and dozens of drilling spills arrived at the Capitol today to serve Governor Wolf with a Notice of Probable Violation and Summons to appear on April 19 before the families affected by construction of Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 pipeline.

Walking to Governor Wolf’s office, residents found that, in an unusual move for an elected official, Wolf had closed the doors of his office to the public and stationed Capitol Police to prevent citizens from engaging with him and his staff. No one from the governor’s staff came to accept the summons from the citizens.

“Governor Wolf pushed for this project, and he is ultimately responsible for the harms suffered by residents of this state. His administration is responsible for putting dozens of schools and homes in the path of a dangerous, explosive pipeline. The only responsible course of action is for him to shut this project down, once and for all,” said Food & Water Watch organizer Sam Rubin.

Citizens delivered a Notice of Probable Violation and Summons to Governor Wolf. The summons ordered him to appear at a Citizens’ Hearing on the impacts of the Mariner East pipeline project on April 19th in Chester County. The summons was issued as part of a Notice of Probable Violation, which found that Governor Wolf was likely in violation of his oath and the constitution of Pennsylvania for putting Sunoco’s Mariner East pipeline project above the public health, safety, and welfare of state residents.

The action happened prior to a State Senate hearing on the Mariner East 2 pipeline, which was called after massive sinkholes emerged as a result of pipeline construction. Residents testifying and attending the hearing took the opportunity to remind Governor Wolf that while a growing, bipartisan group of local, state, and federal officials is calling for a halt to the pipeline, the approval and continued construction of Mariner East 2 is his responsibility.

 The 350-mile pipeline is being constructed in order to carry highly volatile liquids, most of which will be exported to Europe to make plastics.

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