Pennsylvania PUC administrative decision cites pipeline emergency response plan bill

A Public Utility Commission (PUC) Administrative Law Judge recently cited Senate Bill 284 in an initial decision as a potential solution to the issue of what confidential security information pipeline operators should be required to share with county emergency planning officials.

The administrative law judge cited the bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Tom Killion (R-Chester/ Delaware), in an initial decision regarding a leak from the Mariner East I (ME1) pipeline in Berks County. The case is one of several pipeline-related cases before PUC administrative judges.

“County emergency officials must have the information they need to make sure first responders can effectively react to an emergency,” Killion said. “Currently, pipeline operators have the authority to decide what is or is not confidential security information. That’s unacceptable.”

It has been reported that approximately 95 percent of an emergency management plan that Energy Transfer Partners submitted to Chester County for its Mariner East II pipeline was redacted.

“The legal basis for withholding this critical safety information is that the information could be accessed by competitors or those wishing to commit acts of terrorism,” Killion said. “Our county emergency service directors are responsible, dedicated professionals. And clearly not competitors nor those who would do harm.”

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee advanced Senate Bill 284 in June of last year. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

“I’m gratified by this Initial Decision and its implications for the other pipeline-related cases under consideration,” Killion said. “Protecting residents, their homes and property is my number one priority as an elected official, and I’ll vigorously fight actions that endanger those in the vicinity of these pipelines.”