Utility Crew Strikes Sunoco Pipeline in Upper Merion Township

Utility Crew Strikes Sunoco Pipeline in Upper Merion Township

by

Jet fuel spill enters cleanup phase in Upper Merion

A 14-inch underground Sunoco pipeline was struck by a utility crew on November 5, 2026, releasing a large volume of jet fuel into a Montgomery County quarry, CRIMEWATCH reported.

The incident occurred near the intersection of Colbert Road and River Road in Upper Merion Township. A contractor working on behalf of PECO was drilling to install new electric towers when the strike happened, according to 6abc.com.

Scared Montgomery County PA Residents After Sunoco Jet Fuel Pipeline Construction Accident

The fuel discharged over land and into the adjacent Glasgow McCoy quarry. This spill forced the shutdown of all water pumps at the quarry site, leaving the product sitting at the bottom of the basin, 6abc.com reported.

Environmental response and air monitoring

Unified Command, a multiagency team including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Energy Transfer, is currently overseeing the recovery operations. While the pipeline has been repaired and refilled following approval from the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, crews are still working to extract fuel from the quarry and strike site.

To manage potential health risks, responders have established a tiered air monitoring system. This includes 20 roving locations in nearby neighborhoods, 10 stationary monitors along the fenceline to ensure contaminants do not leave the zone, and four monitors within the work zone to protect personnel. These devices track flammable vapors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and benzene.

“The smells have given me a headache, and these people are living with that 24/7,” said Chris DiGiulio, director of environmental science and investigations for Physicians for Social Responsibility of Pennsylvania, as reported by WHYY.

Despite these concerns, air monitoring has not detected elevated levels of contaminants in the community or at the fenceline. Officials stated that air readings from the quarry monitoring wells showed no detection of VOCs. However, Unified Command warned that changing weather conditions might cause residents to notice fuel odors.

Scope of the fuel release

Estimates regarding the total volume of the spill vary between reporting outlets. State Rep. Tim Briggs provided a preliminary estimate of approximately 60,000 gallons of jet fuel and kerosene, according to 6abc.com. However, WHYY reported that officials did not respond to specific questions regarding the exact amount of fuel spilled.

The impact of the spill is currently being managed through several recovery methods:

Wpvi jet fuel leak cc vid
Photo: 6abc.com
  • Vacuum trucks are transferring a mixture of fuel and water into tanks for off-site processing.
  • Sorbent booms and absorbent pads are being used to collect pooled product from paved areas and stormwater ponds.
  • Drone flights are being utilized to track cleanup progress and assess the condition of the Schuylkill River and the quarry.

At this time, there is no reported impact on public drinking water sources or the Schuylkill River, which sits less than a mile from the site. Recovery of jet fuel from the pooled water in the quarry is currently restricted to daylight hours.

Community and environmental concerns

The proximity of the spill to local infrastructure has drawn scrutiny from environmental advocates. Ginny Marcille-Kerslake, the Eastern Pennsylvania organizing manager for Food and Water Watch, noted that the consequences of such incidents are heightened when pipelines cross waterways or run through densely populated areas, according to WHYY.

While the immediate shelter-in-place order and road closures on Route 23 were lifted shortly after 6 p.m. on the day of the strike, the long-term environmental assessment continues. Crews are securing petroleum-contaminated debris in roll-off containers for future testing and disposal in accordance with state and federal safety requirements.

The utility contractor’s work was part of a larger project for PECO, though the company stated that no PECO electric or natural gas customers have been impacted by the incident.

Keep reading

Read next