Senator John Fetterman is pressing federal regulators for urgent action following a jet fuel leak in Bucks County that contaminated residents’ drinking water.

During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Fetterman grilled Paul Roberti, nominee to lead the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), about the agency’s response to the leak. PHMSA is responsible for overseeing more than 3.4 million miles of pipeline nationwide, including the Twin Oaks Pipeline, a 105-mile jet fuel line that runs through southeastern Pennsylvania.

Fetterman brought Upper Makefield Township resident Kristine Wojnovich to the hearing. Her family’s private well is among those impacted by the contamination. Holding up bottles of murky water from her home, Fetterman told Roberti, “It honestly smells like straight-up fuel. I wouldn’t want to put a flame around it.”

He demanded a firm commitment from Roberti to take action. The nominee pledged that if confirmed, he would visit the site with Fetterman and ensure the investigation proceeds swiftly.

Concerns about the leak first surfaced in 2023, when residents reported fuel odors in their homes. Sunoco dismissed those complaints at the time, attributing the smell to “bacteria.” But a year later, jet fuel began appearing in private wells. The company didn’t confirm a leak until January 31, 2025.

In February, Fetterman and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) called on PHMSA to shut down the pipeline during the investigation. The agency instead ordered Sunoco to reduce operations by 20 percent.

Fetterman said he remains committed to seeing PHMSA hold Sunoco fully accountable. “A win for Pennsylvania is ultimately a win for the country,” he told colleagues, emphasizing the need for robust pipeline safety enforcement.