Pipeline developer charged over systematic contamination

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM

The corporate developer of a multi-billion-dollar pipeline system that takes natural gas liquids from the Marcellus Shale gas field to an export terminal near Philadelphia was charged criminally on Tuesday after a grand jury concluded that it flouted Pennsylvania environmental laws and fouled waterways and residential water supplies across hundreds of miles.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the sprawling case at a news conference at Marsh Creek State Park in Downingtown, where Sunoco Pipeline LP spilled thousands of gallons of drilling fluid last year. The spill, during construction of the troubled Mariner East 2 pipeline, contaminated wetlands, a stream and part of a 535-acre lake.

Energy Transfer, Sunoco’s owner, faces 48 criminal charges, most of them for illegally releasing industrial waste at 22 sites in 11 counties across the state. A felony count accuses the operator of willfully failing to report spills to state environmental regulators.

Shapiro said Energy Transfer ruined the drinking water of at least 150 families statewide. He released a grand jury report that includes testimony from numerous residents who accused Energy Transfer of denying responsibility for the contamination and then refusing to help.



Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, at podium, speaks during a news conference at Marsh Creek State Park in Downingtown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. Shapiro filed criminal charges Tuesday against the developer of a problem-plagued pipeline that takes natural gas liquids from the Marcellus Shale gas field to an export terminal near Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-pennsylvania-philadelphia-environment-crime-20c337b3e287091c7f7fb6f62156b6e1

[Crowman2009]

1. Another reason to be done with fossil fuels, leaky pipelines that contaminate water or catch on fire

[OldBaldy1701E]

9. Well

That, and yet another reason to stop this unfettered, capitalistic greed from big corporations who know they can do this and then watch as the company gets in trouble while they waltz to another company... usually with a big golden parachute on their backs. It is time to hold people responsible for this, and if the corporate world wants their organizations to be seen as 'people' so badly (Citizens United), then charge the corporation with criminal acts and met out the appropriate punishment. Or, stop with this silly crap and hold the malignant asshats responsible for such damages to account. As they should be. And, if they do decide to charge the corporation as a person, then charge all the officers as accessories. CONSEQUENCES damn it! Otherwise, this shit will NEVER stop. Even if we get rid of fossil fuels, they will just try to game any other fuel source to maximize profits and remove costs that can drain such profits... you know, like maintenance, upgrading, safety protocols, etc.

[Wingus Dingus]

2. Wonder how many people and critters they poisoned.

Glad to see criminal charges.

[randr]

3. We desperately need to end our dependence on fossil fuels

And hold ALL parties who have profited while threatening our survival accountable for ALL damages and clean-up costs.
THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.
IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED.

[rdking647]

4. no feasible way to do it quickly

[NullTuples]

5. Slightly OT but imagine if we captured all the nat gas that's just burned off at oil wells.

[yonder]

6. Start jailing the corporate heads instead of fining the companies and we might see some changes.

As it is, they seem to continue getting away with any kind of damage they cause with little personal consequences.

[lookyhereyou]

7. do they write off fines

as cost of doing business ?

[Martin68]

8. Every state will eventually realize that the polluters aren't worth the money. Let's hope that's not

too late.