Welcome to the Marple Safety Coalition
You're invited!
We invite everyone to listen in on the PUC's Telephone Evidentiary Hearings at 10am on
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Friday, July 16, 2021

The Evidentiary Hearing is where evidence, in the form of testimony and exhibits, is admitted into the record and witnesses are cross-examined about their prefiled testimony. This is what many would consider the "trial."

Information to call in can be found here. 

Thank you to everyone who testified in the PUC Public Input Hearing on May 25th or 26th.  The community's solidarity, facts, arguments and energy were incredible and extremely helpful in our case against this project.

An updated schedule provided by the PUC has been included below.

Please continue reaching out to us with any additional information that may be useful in the arguments against this case at www.marplesafe.com

What's Going On?

  • PECO requested a special exception from the Marple Zoning Board to build a Natural Gas Expansion Plant to bring in gas through a 12in gas main at 525psi and using industrial heaters with constantly running smokestacks modify the gas for distribution. The site is proposed to be surrounded by an 8ft wall (example on the left provided by PECO) surrounded by businesses and residences at Sproul and Cedar Grove Roads in Marple Township.

  • PECO has publicly stated that they do not have any other plants like this and referred to this as the “first such animal” of its kind on public meetings.

  • Marple Township Zoning unanimously voted to DENY the Special Exception PECO needs to build this plant citing the industrial facility does not conform to zoning ordinances adopted to protect the health, safety and welfare of Marple residents and local businesses, particularly around noxious odors, safety and noise.

  • PECO is attempting to overturn the Marple Zoning decision in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and by filing for official proceedings with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to allow its plant to be built, draining the township and this public utility of time, legal fees, and resources.
 
  • PUC Hearings to be scheduled on April 21, 2021 (Protests and Interventions can be entered until 4/12/2021)
 
  • We support Marple Township Zoning in denying PECO the Special Exception to build this facility.
Picture
Proposed Gas Plant Location. Marple, PA

What's the Latest

The proposed gas expansion plant is not a done deal!

May 25th and 26th Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Public Input Hearing
During two days and approximately 16 hours of testimony, over 100 individuals from the community testified under oath for the record against this proposed gas plant. 

On April 10th, 2021 Doug Oliver, PECO Vice President of Governmental & External Affairs, promised to provide:
  • ​A list of similar plant locations in residential areas
  • Details whether Marple Township was contacted and if they were contacted, who and how they were contacted prior to the zoning special permit request
  • Will provide records if PECO reached out to any other property owners for this plant ie. Don Guanella, Cemetery etc.
  • Date when the pipeline laying started for this project
  • Doug Oliver also stated that they [PECO] "are considering all options that are available....we will look at availability and zoning, proximity and cost and community” 

February 26, 2021- PECO applied to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission for a "Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity", which, if granted, would allow PECO to steamroller the Marple Zoning Hearing Board's decision to DENY permission for PECO to build the Gas Expansion Plant at the corner of Sproul and Cedar Grove Roads. The link below is an electronic copy of the papers that PECO submitted to the PUC.​
https://www.puc.pa.gov/pcdocs/1694879.pdf ​

We Need YOU!

The Marple Safety Coalition is looking for expert wintesses, attorneys, engineers, neighbors and any groups interested in this project to get involved and voice their concern about this proposed gas expansion plant.
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Write emails/letters and call elected officials letting them know you are against this plant Spread the word!
  • Our yard signs have made a big impact! Email [email protected] to get one ($5 donation request)
  • Speak to neighbors, friends, family, local business boards and post to social media
Get in touch with us: Send an email to [email protected]
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