A recent series by Spotlight PA detailed pipeline safety in the commonwealth through the eyes of the statewide Mariner East pipeline system, which cuts through this region (“Along Mariner East pipelines, secrecy and a patchwork of emergency plans leave many at risk and in the dark”). So often with this project, especially when it comes to emergency response, people approach and digest any new information from a preconceived place — this is especially true for pipeline opponents who want to shut down the project.

As a union leader whose members work on Mariner East and who train in Westmoreland County specifically for pipeline-related work, I have seen all angles of these projects. And, as with most things, the nuances of the Spotlight PA series were the most impactful and informative, especially with respect to safety.

As outline by a number of commentators, including several in Western Pennsylvania, first responders and emergency service personnel repeatedly said they feel prepared to deal with any pipeline incident that may occur. The series reiterated again and again that pipeline incidents are few and far between, especially relative to other energy transport means. More to the point: Not only have incident risks been minimized, but first responders have been trained to exceed industry standards.

Opponents to Pennsylvania’s energy and natural gas industries peddle fear rather than on-the-ground realities. Facing facts head on, as this series does when it comes to safety training on the ground, does a lot more good than living in hysteric hypotheticals.

James T. Kunz Jr.

O’Hara

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