Pennsylvania charges pipeline company for releases

The state attorney general in Pennsylvania on October 5 charged Energy Transfer with 48 counts of environmental crimes related to its Mariner East 2 natural gas pipeline.

The pipeline crosses 17 counties in southern Pennsylvania. The state estimates that more than 80,000 gallons of contaminated fluid were released in and around area waterways during construction between 2017-2020.

Energy Transfer, however, failed to report several of the releases despite a legal requirement to do so.

“There is a duty to protect our air and water, and when companies harm these vital resources through negligence — it is a crime,” state attorney general Josh Shapiro said. “By charging them, we can both seek to hold them criminally accountable and send a clear message to others about how seriously we take protecting the environment and public health.”

Energy Transfer had no public comment on the charges. If convicted on all charges, the company would face fines and restitution, but no jail time would be assessed to its officials.