Grant program funded by Mariner East 2 pipeline penalty announced
A new grant program funded by the historic penalty collected from Sunoco Pipeline related to construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline, was announced Tuesday by Gov. Tom Wolf. Grants will be awarded for projects that reduce or minimize pollution and protect clean water in the 85 municipalities along the length of the pipeline corridor, including Washington County.
In February, the state Department of Environmental Protection collected the $12.6 million penalty for permit violations related to the construction of the project.
The penalty, one of the largest collected in a single settlement, was deposited into the Clean Water Fund and the Dams and Encroachments Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Streams Law and the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act. These grants will be directed to the municipalities to eliminate pollution and protect the public from unsafe dams, water obstructions, and encroachments.
“DEP will continue to both monitor permit compliance and ensure that Sunoco addresses and remedies all pipeline project impacts, which are separate from this penalty. Our goal with the penalty grant is to aid municipal leaders in providing meaningful local environmental benefits,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
The pipeline, when completed, will extend about 400 miles from Scio, Ohio, through the West Virginia panhandle, through the geographic center of Washington County, and on to Marcus Hook. It will carry natural gas liquids to a processing plant in Marcus Hook, near Philadelphia and on the Delaware border.
Eligible grant applicants include the 85 municipalities, county conservation districts, incorporated watershed associations, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations along the length of the pipeline. The 45-day grant application round will open May 7.
DEP anticipates announcing the approved projects in the summer of 2018.
As the project construction work continues, DEP will continue to monitor and enforce the conditions of the permits related to earth disturbance and wetland and waterway encroachment/crossing and will take necessary enforcement actions.
If a resident should witness pollution from the pipeline affecting streams or other waterways, please alert DEP at 1-800-541-2050.
For more information on the components of the grant program, please visit http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Pages/Water-Quality-Projects-Along-ME2-Pipeline.aspx.