Updates
Energy Transfer remains committed to the cleanup and restoration of the Mt. Eyre neighborhood and has made notable progress over the last several weeks.
The pipeline is operating safely. As we continue to investigate previously repaired locations along the pipeline, under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) oversight, to date we have found no evidence of other leaks.
We have begun a series of in-line inspection (ILI) tool runs of the pipeline. This week contractors launched a gauge tool, and there is an ultrasonic crack tool run scheduled next week. We are scheduling several additional ILI tool runs in April.
Site Investigation and Characterization Work
This week, crews began drilling a recovery well at 108 Spencer Road. The recovery well will be used to recover any petroleum product that is present in groundwater in the release area. Sound walls have been installed around the drilling site to mitigate noise. This work will be completed by the end of this week or the beginning of next week.
Our ongoing work has provided valuable information about the subsurface and has allowed us to focus our efforts in specific areas and fractures below ground. At this site, crews performed downhole geophysics of the well, which gave us a better understanding of the geology and how material flows above the bedrock.
Last week, crews successfully completed packer testing at this property to measure the permeability of the subsurface. The goal of the packer test was to test zones of interest to determine the flow within various fractures of the bedrock; to stress these fractures by pumping water; and to evaluate the response and collect representative water samples from those fractures for laboratory analysis.
Water Testing & POET System Installation
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, March 20, our third-party environmental consultants have performed more than 640 total water tests in the neighborhood and beyond, which now includes second-round, third-round and post-treatment testing. The number of wells either with light non-phase liquid petroleum (LNAPL) or with constituents present above statewide health standards is now down to 5, and the number of wells with constituents present currently within the method reporting limit, but below statewide health standards, is 6.
To date, Energy Transfer’s licensed third-party contractor, Suburban, has installed 40 POET systems, with 24 additional scheduled to be installed. Energy Transfer has also reimbursed 50 residents for the installation of POET systems by other contractors. To date, there are 95 properties with POET systems installed in the neighborhood.
Communications Updates
We have scheduled a teletownhall on Thursday, March 27. The teletownhall will take place from 7-8:30 p.m., and residents can dial in at 855-543-3418.
Additionally, this week we will submit our Public Involvement Plan to the DEP as part of the Act 2 process, which will lay out our plan for future meetings and engagement.
Energy Transfer remains committed to the cleanup and restoration of the Mt. Eyre neighborhood. We recognize that this will be a lengthy process, but we have and will continue to take more immediate steps. We initiated the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Act 2 process last month, and we have begun the installation of Point of Entry Treatment (POET) systems to many homes in the community.
Site Investigation and Characterization Work
We continue to work on the site investigation and characterization under the oversight of the DEP. As part of this important work, we had scheduled to begin drilling the first two recovery wells at 108 Spencer Road this week. This work has been postponed until we receive full access to the site. We anticipate this work beginning in the near term. We will share more information in the very near future.
Water Testing
Energy Transfer’s third-party environmental consultants continue to perform water testing for residents and are now working through a second round of tests. As of 4 p.m. Monday, March 3, consultants have performed 301 first-round tests, 118 second-round tests and 11 post-treatment tests in the neighborhood. We have received results for 374 tests. The number of wells impacted either with light non-phase liquid petroleum (LNAPL) or with constituents present above statewide health standards remains at 6, and the number of wells with constituents present within the method reporting limit, but below statewide health standards, is 5. We continue to schedule and perform both first- and second-round water tests.
Energy Transfer continues to share resources to help Mt. Eyre residents navigate the process of water testing and carbon filtration systems. Last week, we sent detailed information about Point of Entry Treatment (POET) systems directly to eligible residents. This included a summary and plan outlining the POET systems and how they work, along with a diagram of a sample system; Energy Transfer’s offer related to installation and reimbursement; and the process for eligible residents to request a POET system. We also posted this information to our incident website under Additional Resources.
Additionally, we have begun sending a guide entitled “Understanding Your Sample Results” along with water test results when sent to residents. It is also now available on our incident website under Additional Resources.
As another way to reach all nearby residents, beyond what we have shared regularly electronically and online, we are sending information via direct mail related to the incident and our response. Residents should receive a piece of mail later this week reflecting the information and resources we have been sharing for several weeks.
To date, Energy Transfer’s licensed third-party contractors, Suburban, have installed 8 POET systems. All six homes with water test results showing hydrocarbons above statewide health standards have POET systems in place.
As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, our third-party environmental consultants have performed 332 water tests in the neighborhood, which now includes a number of second-round tests. We have received results for 256 of those. Of the 256, the number of wells impacted either with light non-phase liquid petroleum (LNAPL) or with constituents present above statewide health standards remains at 6. We have 21 first-round and 36 second-round water tests scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled).
We continue to work on the site investigation and characterization under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Last week, we completed downhole geophysics at two sites and are beginning geophysical surface resistivity testing, as well as soil gas testing, throughout the neighborhood to better understand the geology and groundwater flow. The resistivity testing is done using long cables that use electrically resistive signals to locate the bedrock and its fractures below the surface. The passive soil gas survey will also help delineate the subsurface hydrocarbon-impacted area and groundwater flow. The DEP continues to provide environmental oversight on all of these activities and we are working with the agency on our Act 2 remediation plan. Based on all of our efforts to date, we continue to narrow the potential area of impact. We have now begun the process of performing a second round of tests for properties within the narrowed impact area.
The next public meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 27, at Sol Feinstone Elementary School (1090 Eagle Road., Newtown, PA 18940). Please find Energy Transfer’s full presentation from the Feb. 13 meeting on our incident website. We continue to add resources and update the information and FAQs on our incident response website. As a reminder, our local community support center (1798 Dolington Road, Yardley, PA) is now staffed during normal business hours and is available as an additional resource for residents.
As we continue to investigate previously repaired locations along the pipeline, under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) oversight, to date we have found no evidence of other leaks. PHMSA continues to oversee all of our pipeline operations and integrity work.
Energy Transfer has developed a number of additional resources to help Mt. Eyre residents navigate the process of water testing and carbon filtration systems. We are sending detailed information to eligible residents about the Point of Entry Treatment (POET) systems, also referred to as carbon filtration systems. Energy Transfer is offering to install a POET system for homes in the Mt. Eyre neighborhood that are located within the topographic watershed where the release took place, as well as an additional buffer area, as determined conservatively, regardless of test results, with the guidance of third-party environmental consultants. This area is referred to as the “Investigation Area.” These residents will receive: a summary and plan outlining the POET systems and how they work, along with a diagram of a sample system; Energy Transfer’s offer related to installation and reimbursement; and the process for eligible residents to request a POET system. More information will also be added to our incident website.
We have also developed a guide entitled “Understanding Your Sample Results,” which is now being included with test results when sent to residents. It will also be available on our incident website under Additional Resources.
As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, our third-party environmental consultants have performed 245 water tests in the neighborhood, which now includes a number of second-round tests. We have received results for 156 of those. Of the 156, the number with hydrocarbons present above statewide health standards remains at 6. We have 18 first-round and 28 second-round water tests scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled).
We are working on the site investigation and characterization under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). We completed downhole geophysics at two sites and are beginning geophysical surface resistivity testing, as well as soil gas testing, throughout the neighborhood to better understand the geology and groundwater flow. The resistivity testing is done using long cables that use electrically resistive signals to locate the bedrock and its fractures below the surface. The passive soil gas survey will also help delineate the subsurface hydrocarbon-impacted area and groundwater flow. The DEP continues to provide environmental oversight on all of these activities and we are working with the agency on our Act 2 remediation plan. Based on all of our efforts to date, we continue to narrow the potential area of impact. We have now begun the process of performing a second round of tests for properties within the narrowed impact area.
The next public meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 27, at Sol Feinstone Elementary School (1090 Eagle Road., Newtown, PA 18940). Please find Energy Transfer’s full presentation from the Feb. 13 meeting on our incident website. We continue to add resources and update the information and FAQs on this site. As a reminder, our local community support center (1798 Dolington Road, Yardley, PA) is now staffed during normal business hours and is available as an additional resource for residents.
As we continue to investigate previously repaired locations along the pipeline, under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) oversight, to date we have found no evidence of other leaks. PHMSA continues to oversee all of our pipeline operations and integrity work.
Energy Transfer has published our full presentation from the public meeting this past Thursday, Feb. 13, on our incident website. Additionally, we have populated a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the website, which we will continually update to address ongoing questions, and to share more information as it is available. The next public meeting is scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Sol Feinstone Elementary School (1090 Eagle Road., Newtown, PA 18940). The time has not been set.
Over the weekend, we continued to secure additional resources to fulfill residents’ needs as we work through this response. It is our top priority to respond to residents and secure the resources they need related to the scheduling and reimbursement of water testing and water filtration systems. We have established our local community support center, located at our Bucks Pump Station (1798 Dolington Road, Yardley, PA). The center is now staffed during normal business hours and is available as an additional resource for residents.
We continue to install carbon filtration systems for impacted and eligible residents. The map of the buffer area for eligible residents, which was shown in our meeting presentation, is also available on our website. Energy Transfer is committed to covering the cost of the system appropriate for each home and asks that eligible and interested residents contact uppermakefieldresponse@energytransfer.com to request installation.
We plan to commence geophysical resistivity testing and passive soil gas testing throughout the neighborhood to better understand the geology and groundwater flow. This process is done using long cables that use electrically resistive signals to locate the bedrock and its fractures below the surface. The passive soil gas survey will also help delineate the subsurface hydrocarbon-impacted area and groundwater flow in the area. This identification will inform our planning for the site characterization and remediation process.
Based on all of our efforts to date, we continue to narrow the potential area of impact. We have now begun the process of performing a second round of tests for properties within the narrowed impact area. As of 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, our third-party environmental consultants have performed 188 water tests in the neighborhood, which now includes a number of second-round tests. We have received results for 115 of those. Of the 115, the number with hydrocarbons present above statewide health standards remains at 6. We have 46 first-round and 13 second-round water tests scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled). We will continue to provide bottled water to concerned landowners, which can now also be picked up at our community support center.
As we continue to investigate previously repaired locations along the pipeline, under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) oversight, to date we have found no evidence of other leaks. PHMSA continues to oversee all of our pipeline operations and integrity work, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to provide environmental oversight as it relates to both our short-term and long-term remediation and cleanup efforts. We are working with the DEP on our Act 2 remediation plan; more information on Act 2 can be found on the DEP website.
As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, our third-party environmental consultants have performed 114 water tests in the neighborhood and have received results for 70 of those. Of the 70 tested, 6 have hydrocarbons present above statewide health standards.
We have 108 additional water tests scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled). We are making an effort to accelerate this process as much as possible while maintaining accuracy. We will continue to provide bottled water to concerned landowners. We have also begun to install carbon filtration systems for impacted residents, which have a proven track record of treating hydrocarbons in water sources.
At the request of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the pipeline is operating at a 20% pressure reduction, and we have completed a series digs at certain locations to visually inspect the line. We have now completed six digs total in Upper Makefield Township and Newtown Township collectively, under PHMSA’s oversight, at previously repaired locations and have found no evidence of other leaks. To perform the digs, we exposed the section of pipeline and verified visually that there were no abnormalities. We are performing testing to validate the condition of the previous repairs. Additionally, we took soil samples, which did not detect any product. We will run an in-line inspection tool through the entire pipeline this year, under the oversight of PHMSA, which will provide even more data on the pipeline’s integrity.
Meanwhile, our crews continue to recover product from certain impacted wells and remediate the impacted area. At this time, we have recovered approximately 38 gallons of product from the incident area.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to provide environmental oversight Energy Transfer will continue to work with DEP for oversight of the remediation through the Act 2 process. More information on Act 2 can be found on the DEP website.
We have now been in contact with 223 individual homeowners in the Mt. Eyre neighborhood and beyond. We will share more information at our next public meeting, as well as on our new incident website, which is now live. We will continue to add information to the site as time progresses.
For ongoing updates and information, Energy Transfer has established the following:
- Email Address
- We have created an email address that residents can contact with questions and concerns: uppermakefieldresponse@energytransfer.com
- Hotline
- Our 24/7 community hotline remains active: 877-397-3383
- Website
- Our new website is under development and will go live tomorrow. We will share updates, maps, FAQs, and responses to questions from residents on the site.
- Community Outreach
- In addition to the informational sources listed above, we also have company representatives who are working directly with residents throughout the Mt. Eyre neighborhood.
- Public Meeting – Thursday, February 13
- o Our next public has been rescheduled to 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 13, at Sol Feinstone Elementary School (1090 Eagle Road., Newtown, PA 18940).
As of 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, our approved independent consultants have inspected 108 water wells in the neighborhood and have received results for 57 of those. Of the 57 sampled, 6 have hydrocarbons present. We have 68 additional water wells scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled) to be inspected. We are making an effort to accelerate this process as much as possible while maintaining accuracy. We will continue to provide bottled water to concerned landowners. We have also begun to install carbon filtration systems for impacted residents, which have a proven track record of treating hydrocarbons in water sources.
At the request of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the pipeline is operating at a 20% pressure reduction, and we are in the process of completing digs at certain locations to visually inspect the line. We have now completed six digs, under PHMSA’s oversight, at previously repaired locations and have found no evidence of other leaks. To perform the digs, we exposed the section of pipeline and verified visually that there were no abnormalities. We are performing testing to validate the condition of the previous repairs. Additionally, we took soil samples, which did not detect any product. We are now working to perform similar digs at other locations along the length of the pipeline. Additionally, we will run an in-line inspection tool through the entire pipeline this year, under the oversight of PHMSA, which will provide even more data on the pipeline’s integrity.
Meanwhile, our crews continue to recover product from wells and remediate the impacted area. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to provide environmental oversight. Energy Transfer intends to formally request DEP oversight of the remediation through the Act 2 process. More information on Act 2 can be found on the DEP website.
We will share more information at our next public meeting, as well as on our new incident website, which will go live tomorrow. We will continue to add information to the site as time progresses.
For ongoing updates and information, Energy Transfer has established the following:
- Email Address
- We have created an email address that residents can contact with questions and concerns: uppermakefieldresponse@energytransfer.com
- Hotline
- Our 24/7 community hotline remains active: 877-397-3383
- Website
- Our new website is under development and will go live tomorrow. We will share updates, maps, FAQs, and responses to questions from residents on the site.
- Community Outreach
- In addition to the informational sources listed above, we also have company representatives who are working directly with residents throughout the Mt. Eyre neighborhood.
- Public Meeting – POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
- The previously scheduled public meeting for tomorrow night (Feb.11) has been postponed by the township due to weather. We expect a new meeting date to be scheduled by the township very soon.
As of 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, our approved third-party consultants have inspected 93 water wells in the neighborhood and have received results for 42 of those. Of the 93 sampled, 6 have hydrocarbons detected. We have 102 additional water wells scheduled (or in the process of being scheduled) to be inspected. We are making an effort to secure additional crews to accelerate this process. We will continue to provide bottled water to concerned landowners.
At the request of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the pipeline will be operated at a 20% pressure reduction. In addition, we will be completing digs at certain locations along the pipeline to visually inspect the line. The work will begin this weekend at two locations in the township and proceed at additional sites along the line. We will notify landowners of the specific sites in advance of the work and will continue to provide more details to the community as work progresses.
Meanwhile, our crews are actively working to recover product from wells and remediate the impacted area. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to provide environmental oversight. Energy Transfer intends to formally request DEP oversight of the remediation through the Act 2 process. More information on Act 2 can be found on the DEP website.
The section of pipeline where the leak was detected was removed and replaced late last week, and the pipeline was placed back into service following the review and approval of PHMSA. We continue to operate the pipeline with 24/7 monitoring for our liquids control center, while also performing our routine operational surveillance. In addition to following the PHMSA protocols for restarting the line, we have company personnel on site to visually inspect and monitor the pipeline. The root cause investigation of the leak is underway and ongoing.
Throughout this week, Energy Transfer has assisted the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with an investigation into recent concerns about a potential hydrocarbon release in the Glenwood Drive neighborhood in Upper Makefield Township. Because of the proximity of our pipeline, we immediately began working with the DEP to investigate. Energy Transfer operates a 14-inch pipeline nearby, which carries refined products.
Our Operations team has taken a number of actions to assess the possibility of a pipeline issue:
During this process, on Friday afternoon, we discovered product loss from our pipeline. The pipeline was inactive at the time.
Our third-party sampling is ongoing and we continue to work with residents in the Glenwood neighborhood to share those results as they come in.
We have been, and will remain, in contact with Upper Makefield Township and impacted residents. We will share more information as it is available. Meanwhile, we have set up a rapid response, 24/7 community hotline for nearby residents with questions or concerns: (877) 397-3383
Joseph Massaro
Lead Specialist, Public Affairs
Energy Transfer