What would happen if something went wrong along the Mariner East pipeline route? It's an unlikely scenario, but not out of the question. Just ask the people in Blenheim, N.Y., where a pipeline carrying natural gas liquids exploded in 1990, killing two people.

Mariner East carries the same type of chemicals, which many experts and emergency planners say require planning above and beyond general hazmat training. But part two of Spotlight PA's new investigation into the system found Pennsylvania falls well short of the mark.

Investigative Reporter Rebecca Moss uncovered broad disagreement about what information is needed and how much planning should be done to prepare for a natural gas liquids disaster. There is no standardized, statewide plan, leaving it up to counties and towns to find their way.

What has resulted is a patchwork of preparedness that leaves the most vulnerable at risk: people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.

The Context: Nearly 14% of Pennsylvania’s 12 million residents are classified as disabled, among the highest percentages in the nation. The state also has one of the highest percentages of people over 65.

Sunoco advises the public to self-evacuate on foot, which does not account for vulnerable populations who need assistance. Pennsylvania’s more than 800-page emergency plan mentions people with disabilities twice, saying there is information for them and the elderly online.

Pennsylvania emergency planners have considered the broad strokes of accidents involving fire and explosions, but rarely the specific harm involving a pipeline system like Mariner East.

Four years ago, a task force convened by Gov. Tom Wolf recommended, in part, that the state develop standardized pipeline emergency response plans, but that has not happened. Should the worst occur, the response would fall first on volunteer fire departments, which are underfunded and overburdened. 

“Life has turned upside down. I’ve already seen a dude walking down my street with a gun, looking to, quote, unquote, ‘protect’ my neighborhood.”

CRAYONS, GEORGE ROMERO & PRETZELS: All things you can dress up as for Halloween this year. Here's an old but handy list of Pennsylvania-themed costumes you can try out this year, be it over Zoom or a socially distanced candy hunt. 

HAUNTED PENNSYLVANIA: Continuing down that Halloween rabbit hole, if you're a haunt-seeker, take some time to plan out a few visits to some of Pennsylvania's most haunted places. Also, a fun side effect of the coronavirus pandemic: pumpkin patches are thriving.

THANKS! I HATE IT: Tired of your face mask smelling like your bad breath? Well, Hormel (the company that offers such delicacies as beans in a can) is now giving away bacon-smelling masks using a special "pork-scented technology." You can go to breathablebacon.com to sign up for a free mask. 

ARRRRRGH: If you have the harrrrt of a real-life swashbuckler, a company called Blackbeard Treasure Hunt announced yest-arrr-day that it will bury $1 million dollarrrrs in 10 states, including Pennsylvania. You have to just parrrrchase a map for $49.99 on its website. 

THANKS, COVID: If you like canning or making your own jam, you probably already know about the latest shortage to come about from the coronavirus pandemic. ANYTHING BUT THE PICKLE JAR!