HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Latest on the decision by Pennsylvania regulators to allow Sunoco to again use a liquid fuels pipeline a judge had shut down (all times local):
2 p.m.
Sunoco says it’s pleased with a decision by state regulators to allow it to resume use of a liquid fuels pipeline that spans Pennsylvania, but it’s criticizing a companion ruling that keeps in place a construction halt on two other related pipelines.
The Public Utility Commission on Thursday overturned an administrative law judge’s decision last month that had halted the use of Mariner East 1. The commission says the judge was wrong and Mariner East 1 can be operated safely.
The company says it also should be allowed to resume work building the Mariner East 2 project and a companion pipeline. Construction’s been put on hold in the Philadelphia suburbs over concerns about drilling practices and public safety.
Sunoco argues a Democratic state senator who brought the matter before the commission doesn’t have the right to make such a challenge, and the entire decision should have been reversed.
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12 p.m.
Pennsylvania utility regulators are allowing a pipeline to resume transporting liquid fuels, reversing an administrative law judge’s order, but they’re upholding a halt to construction of two other pipelines in the Philadelphia suburbs.
The Public Utility Commission voted 3 to 2 on Thursday to let Sunoco Pipeline resume use of the Mariner East 1 pipeline.
The commission majority says Mariner East 1 can be operated safely.
The regulators say more information is required before work can continue on building a 3.5-mile (6 kilometer) portion of Mariner East 2 and a companion line through Chester County.
Public Utility Commission Judge Elizabeth Barnes said last month Sunoco failed to take reasonable steps to warn people and protect them from danger.
Messages left for the company weren’t immediately returned.
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