The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently issued Sunoco Pipeline LP an $85,666 fine as part of a Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty (CACP) signed earlier this month.
“Protecting the waters of the Commonwealth is one of the top priorities of DEP, and we will continue to hold polluters of those waters accountable,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said.
DEP determined Sunoco’s activities during the Mariner East 2 pipeline construction resulted in unauthorized discharges of drilling fluids into waterways.
The fluids, consisting of bentonite clay and water, are also called inadvertent returns. They spilled into the Snitz Creek in Lebanon County, the Tuscarora Creek and a wetland in Juniata County, a wetland in Blair County, and Letort Spring Run and wetlands in Cumberland County.
The company was working in those four counties, with violations taking place between February and August 2020.
A total of $1,166 will be paid to the county conservation districts to reimburse them for costs incurred during their investigation. The remainder of the fine will be paid to the state’s Clean Water Fund.
Sunoco has agreed to pay the civil penalty. In addition, Sunoco will also pay $12,424 to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.