Upper Makefield Township residents packed Sol Feinstone Elementary School’s auditorium to express their concerns about the jet fuel pipeline leak and fears that it is larger than first thought.
The community-wide meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd demanding Sunoco shut down the pipeline and provide clearer answers.
The leak, traced to a 2.5-inch crack in the Twin Oaks pipeline that runs to Newark, New Jersey, was detected January 31. It was found to have contaminated at least six private wells in the Mount Eyre neighborhood.
Many residents suspect the contamination is more widespread, citing fuel odors dating back to September 2023.
“Please explain to me how wells having five, six, and 12 feet in them could have possibly been affected from a slow drip,” said resident Kristine Wojnovitch, drawing applause as she challenged Energy Transfer’s explanation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) intervened earlier this year, opening an investigation with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Energy Transfer, the pipeline owner and operator. However, of the 350 wells tested, only six showed contamination, a result many residents dispute. Some have turned to private testing due to concerns over transparency.
“A 20% reduction imposed by PHMSA is not enough. We the supervisors have said it before, and I repeat tonight, this pipeline needs to be shut down” said Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors Chair Yvette Taylor. “Sunoco does not have to wait. For the sake of humanity….do the right thing”.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPAPNow.com
Residents have also reported health issues and stress since the leak.
Mount Eyre resident Kim Gronek, who underwent private testing, found lead in her home’s well water.
“Since this incident happened, I have had migraine headaches and extreme stress. I have doubled the amount of times I have seen my therapist and other specialists,” said Gronek.
“I live in fear,” said Mike Nelson of the Mount Eyre task force. “When we see trucks descend onto a property, we all wonder, ‘Are they next? Am I next? I woke up last Friday morning and I noticed immediately that there was a problem. It was disturbing hearing the stories, and now it was me and my family.”
Additionally, families in the neighborhood are concerned about the wellbeing of their children, and the effects the leakage could have on them.
“It’s not lost on me, the irony that we’re here in this elementary school tonight …There are students at this school who live in this neighborhood,” said State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat who represents the area. “The fact that this continues to go on and continues to risk the health and safety of our children is an absolute disgrace.”
Another major concern for residents is how Energy Transfer plans to prevent further incidents.
Since 1986, there have been two previous failures to the Twin Oaks pipeline.
The community is calling for better leak protection and the use of newer technology to prevent another major failure.
Energy Transfer, responding to the public outcry, plans a second round of testing and the installation of “cut sleeves” to address the pipeline’s issues. However, the company could not provide a timeline for the repairs.
Matt Gordon, project manager for Energy Transfer, assured the audience that steps are being taken to address the contamination and clean up.
“We are going to be cutting the sleeves. We’re working on the details, we’re working on the permits that you need to access the sites to do that work. We hear you and we are taking steps to clean this up,” said Gordon.
In addition, the township supervisors voted unanimously to implement a clean water feasibility study and also hire an environmental specialist to oversee the township. Members of the Mount Eyre neighborhood still expressed widespread dissatisfaction and many felt their concerns were unaddressed.
“I have never heard a corporation apologize this much ever. What really concerns me is the fact they bought a house and trailer to monitor [the situation] but only six wells are [supposedly] contaminated. It [the pipeline] needs to be shut down.” said resident Bert Cunmings.
One consensus remained clear throughout the community: The pipeline needed to be shut down, as well as increasing transparency about well testing and the chemicals found.
“The future of this community, the young people, are counting on you to ensure what happened in the Mount Eyre neighborhood does not happen to their neighborhoods and does not happen to their schools”, said resident Brian Roberts. “Shut down the pipeline”.
The next steps for Energy Transfer, PHMSA and the DEP are to become involved in the Act 2 process for remediation and clean up as well as continue communication with residents of Mount Eyre.
The township supervisors and Energy Transfer are also holding another meeting on Monday, March 10h as well as a tele-town hall in hopes to answer more questions residents may have.
For more information and updates on the pipeline visit https://uppermakefield.incidentupdates.com/.
Energy Transfer is operating a community outpost at 1798 Dollington Road.
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