Delco Dems call for risk assessment study on Mariner East 2

The Delaware County Democratic Committee issued a statement urging Delaware County Council to conduct an independent risk assessment study of the Mariner East 2 project.

Council has agreed to do a study and has been sorting out who and what that study would look like. Last Wednesday, council tabled the study after a consensus wasn’t possible regarding two perspectives.

One was by council Chairman John McBlain wanted to expand the work of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, having them commission a consultant to look at risks to the public and how to respond to them. Councilman Brian Zidek questioned any link to the LEPC, saying it would not be objective for them to perform it as five of its members work for Sunoco’s parent company, Energy Transfer Partners and said McBlain’s firm was local counsel for Sunoco.

McBlain said he has never personally done work for Sunoco, although members of his 100-plus attorney firm have. He also said the law firm of Delaware County Democratic Chairman David Landau is the lead firm for Sunoco.

Late last week, Beth Alois, Vice Chair of the Delaware County Democratic Committee, issued a statement Friday regarding the matter.

“Residents across Southeastern Pennsylvania are rightly concerned about the potential harmful impacts of this pipeline project after dozens of spills across 10 counties and violations that compelled the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to suspend all associated construction on Jan. 3,” it said.

It also alleged that residents weren’t sufficiently informed from municipal, county or state governments during the process.

“Clearly, the numerous spills and permit violations associated with Mariner East 2 thus far reflect a lack of appropriate prioritization of the health and safety of the public,” it continued.

It also alleged that “corruption is no more evident than when County Council Chairman John McBlain failed to recuse himself from voting on a study that may impact his law firm’s client.”

It did not address any connection to Landau.

“Delaware County Council(men) Brian Zidek and Kevin Madden are right to demand an independent risk assessment or qualitative risk analysis of Mariner East 2,” the statement continued. “Only an independent analysis conducted by scientists and safety experts who have no financial connections to Sunoco, members of County Council or the DEP will have the trust of the public.”