The first report of a fuel smell in Upper Makefield Township came in September 2023, according to a report issued late last week by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Last month, a larger leak was discovered and led to well water being contaminated in the Mt. Eyre neighborhood of Upper Makefield Township.
The leak has sparked concerns among more than 100 residents and prompting a federal order for repairs.
The pipeline, which operated by Energy Transfer, carries jet fuel from refineries near Philadelphia to Newark, New Jersey.
The leak was discovered last month stemmed from a faulty sleeve installed in 1995 over a dent in the pipeline. Energy Transfer reported that 156 barrels of jet fuel were released, according to the PHMSA report.
“Local drinking water wells are contaminated with JP-8 jet fuel to varying degrees. Jet fuel apparently has entered the aquafer and is detected in various quantities in surrounding drinking water wells to the east of the Failure location,” the PHMSA said.
The agency added, “The release of jet fuel poses a risk to public safety, property, or the environment. Jet fuel is a colorless flammable liquid that ignites at certain temperatures; jet fuel exposure can lead to skin irritation and drowsiness or dizziness in affected populations; and jet fuel ingestion may cause harm to the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system.”
Residents first reported odor complaints to the company as early as September 2023, but a leak was not detected at that time, PHMSA said.
Odor complaints flowed in during the months of June, July, and November and were investigated by Energy Transfer, but no cause was found. The reports were not forwarded to PHMSA, according to the federal order.
In late January, the state notified PHMSA of kerosene, a component of jet fuel, found in a well sample, leading to the discovery of a 2.5-inch crack in the pipe.
PHMSA has ordered Energy Transfer, the parent company of Sunoco, to repair the 105-mile-long Twin Oaks pipeline.
The agency said more than three dozen similar sleeves on the pipeline may also be at risk.
Energy Transfer told Bloomberg News it is reviewing the order and plans to respond within 30 days.
“We remain fully committed to working with PHMSA and any other applicable regulatory agencies, the Upper Makefield Township and impacted landowners to safely and swiftly resolve this situation,” the company told the news outlet.
The pipeline is currently operating at a 20 percent reduced pressure while remediation work is underway.
Local and state lawmakers, including Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican; State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat; and State Rep. Perry Warren, a Democrat, have called for the pipeline to be shut for the moment.
Residents packed the Sol Feinstone Elementary School gym last Thursday to learn about the leak and express concerns.
Energy Transfer officials told residents they will cover the cost of carbon filtration system for homes that might be impacted.
Energy Transfer has set up a community support center with bottled water pickups and information at the pump station on 1798 Dolington Road.
Another meeting with the company and government officials is scheduled for Feb. 27 at the same location.
As of last week, Energy Transfer said it has completed six investigative digs in Upper Makefield and Newtown townships at previously repaired sites and found no additional leaks. The company reported recovering approximately 38 gallons of product from the area.
Energy Transfer said it has contacted 223 homeowners in and beyond the Mt. Eyre neighborhood and has launched a website dedicated to the incident.
Advertisement
Convenient Legal Access to High Quality Cannabis Just A Few Minutes Away!
