Living in a place where you raise a family is supposed to be safe and fulfilling. But for us residing in Mercer County,  just across the Delaware River  from a recent jet fuel pipeline leak, the reality feels anything but secure. This pipeline has already contaminated the water supply across the river, and now a new development is being planned over and around it at the corner of Scotch and Nursery road. This potential disaster is both alarming and terrifying for us as neighbors.

Our community faces a real, imminent threat to our health and wellbeing. We are afraid that this development will exacerbate the already dangerous situation. The tributaries beneath the pipeline lead directly to wells, creeks, and ultimately feed into the Delaware River, a critical water source for fifteen million people according to the Delaware River Basin Commission. If this new construction moves forward, the situation could worsen, leaving us with contaminated water, declining property values, and putting thousands at risk of illness.

In neighboring Bucks county PA, a  section of this same pipeline, repaired in the  1990's recently spilled  6,500 gallons of jet fuel into the groundwater.  PA neighbors are currently in a class action lawsuit against the pipeline owner Energy Transfer, aka Sunoco.  Sunoco has had 537 spill incidents between 2002-2017.   Water contamination caused by jet fuel leaks have turned into prolonged environmental disasters. For instance,  an NJDEP report on jet fuel contamination at the Joint Base Mc Quire Dix Lakehurst Air warfare center in Lakehurst NJ found elevated cancers:  specifically kidney, testicular and thyroid disease.  Hopewell township is already dealing with four known locations near the proposed development with high levels of PFAS contamination (forever chemicals) seeping into  private wells and found at Bear Tavern Elementary school and Timberlane Middle school.

 It’s unsafe to build 600 homes for seniors and low income residents directly over  Sunoco’s aging pipeline.  This is reckless at best and poor planning by Hopewell township. 

We call for Mercer County officials to conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment before even considering approving  this development. The safety and health of our community should be the primary concern. There are perfectly viable nearby locations for development that do not compromise the public's health or our environment.

Please sign this petition to stand with us in our fight against this planned development,  sending  a message that our community's safety cannot be compromised.  Yours in caring for the water, community and habitats, Concerned Citizens of Hopewell and Ewing - Mercer County NJ