As the arduous investigation into and cleanup of jet fuel that leaked from an underground pipeline in Upper Makefield Township continues, related developments unfold nearly every day — like the three sternly written letters by elected officials sent at the same time to the heads of agencies involv ed in the process expected to last years. The letters – one by US. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1, and two jointly by state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-10, and state Rep. Perry Warren, D-31  – seek, among other things, “clear and comprehensive” answers to several questions surrounding the crisis that first made headlines Jan. 31. “I remain deeply concerned about the adequacy and efficiency of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s response,” wrote Fitzpatrick to Jessica Shirely, acting head of the state DEP, who said he had “several critical questions” need to be addressed. Fitzpatrick asked why the DEP is “not mandating the restoration of the environment to its original condition before the pipeline leak,” and questioned why DEP is “not advocating more vigorously for the community” by compelling Energy Transfer, operator of the pipeline, to “provide timely notifications” about hazardous activities occurring near residential areas. “A less than 24-hour notice is insufficient,” he wrote. Santarsiero and Warren, in a joint letter to the acting administrator of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, seek information regarding the current condition of the pipeline, said to now be in use at 80 percent pressure. They ask for “the date on which PHMSA was last given proof that the Twin Oaks is currently operating at 80 percent pressure, the nature of that proof and copies of any related documents.” The two officials also wrote to the state Environmental Protection Department about issues related to the ongoing cleanup process. ...read more read less