Commitment to safety

Safety

Energy Transfer is fully committed to the safe, environmentally sound and efficient operation of our pipeline systems. This commitment is enhanced by increasing public awareness and understanding of pipeline locations and operations.

Mariner Emergency Responder Outreach Program

The Mariner Emergency Responder Outreach (MERO) Program is a supplemental training effort that focuses on responding to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline incidents developed in 2013 for responders in communities near the Mariner pipeline. To date, the MERO program has educated nearly 3,000 first responders in communities along pipeline routes, including more than 2,400 first responders in Pennsylvania alone.

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MERO training is provided by Greg Noll, a noted expert in emergency response to hazardous materials incidents who has more than 40 years of experience in the fire service. He has authored numerous books that are used by first responders, including the textbook “Pipeline Emergencies.” Noll has instructed responders around the globe and is considered to be an expert by many first responders, especially in his home state of Pennsylvania. Noll has helped to update the MERO program since its inception and delivered 38 training sessions for responders along Mariner East 2 in 2017 – at least one session was offered in each county along the pipeline, with multiple sessions occurring in some counties.

Public awareness program

We strive to enhance public safety and environmental protection by increasing public awareness and knowledge of pipelines. Through our public awareness programs, our goal is to raise the awareness of the public and other key stakeholders about the presence of our pipelines in your community and to increase the understanding of the important role of pipelines.

In addition, Energy Transfer participates in yearly trainings for emergency responders and public officials in the communities where we operate. These are hosted in different areas each year in conjunction with other local utility companies.

Public outreach

We are deeply committed to our core values of safety, security and environmental stewardship, and these values guide everything we do during construction of Mariner East 2 and beyond. Keeping stakeholders informed and gathering input from communities has consisted of:

More than 750 meetings

attended with municipal leaders, including preconstruction meetings, project updates, on-site meetings and public meetings

More than 38,000 newsletters

mailed to the public as of 2018

More than 32,000 informational mailers

to Delaware and Chester counties alone

Our public awareness and outreach includes a mailer to all neighbors — including residents, businesses, churches, schools and other addresses — within 1,000 feet of our pipelines. It also is sent to excavators with an address within a 7.5-mile radius of the pipeline. Similar mailings are sent to public officials, including all governments within the counties through which the project traverses, plus those within a 10-mile proximity, and emergency officials within the same area.

Pipeline operators must develop and implement a written continuing public education program that follows the guidance provided in the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, which has been incorporated by reference into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Our outreach and communications to stakeholders in the project area meet all federal requirements and are consistent with industry standards.

Our public awareness program is directed at all stakeholder groups that interact with our pipelines. These stakeholder groups include:

  • Residents who live on or near our pipelines
  • Schools
  • Businesses and places of congregation near the pipeline
  • Agricultural businesses
  • Local officials
  • Emergency responders
  • Excavators, contractors and land developers

Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website to learn more about the above stakeholder groups.

We believe that a more informed public will play a significant role in helping to prevent accidents that are caused by third-party damage to pipelines and dangerous encroachments on pipeline right-of-way.

Emergency preparedness

Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Incident Management System, we provide Incident Command System training to critical employees and have established written emergency procedures for a variety of emergency situations. Through the use of a unified Incident Command System, company personnel, contractors and representatives from government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, can work successfully together in response to all types of events.

Call before you dig

State law requires you to call 811 at least 72 hours before you plan to dig. Your local State One-Call Center will let you know if there are any buried utilities in the area, and the utility companies will be notified to identify and clearly mark the location of their lines at no cost to you. Don’t ever assume you know where the underground utilities are located.

One of the greatest single challenges to safe pipeline operations is the accidental damage caused by excavation, construction, farming activities and even homeowner household maintenance.

Four important steps can help prevent undesired consequences:

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