250 grill Sunoco on pumping-station plan

WEST GOSHEN Angry and frustrated residents peppered Sunoco Logistics with questions at a public forum Tuesday in West Goshen Township that Sunoco said it organized in an effort to alleviate residents' concerns and "dispel misinformation" about its proposed pumping station.

More than 250 residents came to the question-and-answer forum at West Chester East High School, where Sunoco filled two tables with handouts detailing its projects and safety information. Residents asked Sunoco about environmental effects, safety measures, worst-case scenarios, and contact numbers.

Sunoco called the forum to teach residents about how it operates and clarify its plans, said Jeff Shields, a spokesman. "We wanted to set the record straight," Shields said. Eleven Sunoco representatives answered questions.

Allen Feinberg got loud applause when he expressed frustration with getting correct information. "Why should we have faith in what you're telling us?" Feinberg said.

Hank Alexander, Sunoco's vice president of business development, acknowledged residents' concerns. "We recognize there's been a lot of angst and a lack of information that's been presented," he said. "We apologize for that."

Under its proposal, Sunoco would upgrade a pumping station at Route 202 and Boot Road. The site sits along a motor-fuel pipeline that runs under West Goshen. Sunoco is refurbishing the pipeline so it can transport fuel from the Marcellus Shale as part of its Mariner East project. Sunoco also plans to build a new pipeline.