Mariner East pipe during construction.

Guest post by Ginny Marcille-Kerslake

Several hundred Pennsylvanians recently submitted public comments individually and via petition to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in support of the PUC’s proposed stricter regulations for hazardous liquids pipelines, like the Mariner East fracked gas project.

Not surprisingly, the fracking industry and its usual supporters submitted comments to the PUC opposing the proposed regulations. They’re arguing that PHMSA guidelines are enough (they aren’t); DEP oversight is enough (it’s not); and that the increased safety regulations would be too costly and make these pipelines impossible in certain situations, particularly densely populated communities.

We now have an opportunity through Friday May 13th to rebut the fracking and pipeline industry’s comments by responding. Anyone can submit a comment on the PUC’s website, and it doesn’t take long: Your response can be as simple as stating that Mariner East has made it clear that more stringent regulations are required and that you strongly agree with the comments that support stricter regulations and strongly disagree with those against. If you wish to review the recent comments  (since last summer) they are available in the docket, including an excellent and comprehensive comment submitted by several non-profit organizations and individuals.

 Whatever comment you decide to make, they should be submitted by using the PUC’s “efiling” system at www.puc.pa.gov/filing-resources/efiling/.  You must mention the Docket No. L-2019-3010267 in your comment. You’ll want to write out your comments first, then save them in the form of a PDF. (The PUC requires you to submit a PDF).

When you go to the efiling link, above, you’ll be asked to fill out a form to set up an account if you don’t already have one. For “Account type”, choose “Individual”. Then you can fill in your contact information and choose a password. Once that is done, you can “efile” your PDF. When efiling your comment choose “Comments-Reply” as your document type.

The deadline for filing is Friday May 13, 2022. We need to flood the PUC with comments: The safety of families and communities should not be sacrificed for the special interests and profits of the oil and gas industry!

Ginny Marcille-Kerslake
Eastern Pennsylvania Organizer, Food and Water Watch