Last week, a bipartisan group of state legislators – together with business, labor, and industry leaders – came out in support of more pipeline development in Pennsylvania, writes Jared Stonesifer for The Beaver County Times.

The group highlighted the economic and public safety benefits of developing the state’s pipeline infrastructure, which includes the Mariner East system owned and operated by Dallas-based Energy Transfer.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, co-chair of the Senate Gas and Oil Caucus, stressed the importance of the oil and natural gas industry to Pennsylvania’s economy. She said that they have a nearly $44.5 billion economic impact on the state, support around 322,600 jobs, and generate close to $23 billion in wages.

“By a wide margin, pipelines are the safest and most efficient means of transporting gas and oil products to consumers,” said Bartolotta.

She noted that the future of the oil and gas industries depends on the state’s willingness to support pipeline projects that show great promise in both greater economic development and public safety.

“It is essential that we support the safe, responsible development of pipeline infrastructure, so our Commonwealth can reap the considerable economic benefits of these critical industries,” she said.

State Rep. Eric Nelson highlighted how pipelines lead to a healthier environment from lowering carbon emissions than if oil was transported by rail or truck.

Michael Trofa, a business agent for the Steamfitters Local 420 in eastern Pennsylvania, testified to the importance of the pipelines for thousands of workers.

“I cannot stress enough that, for thousands of workers across our state, these projects are not just pipelines and processing facilities; they are a lifeline to family-supporting jobs,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Sens. John Blake and Sharif Street also offered their support for the responsible development of pipelines due to the benefits for all involved.

“Life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you handle it,” said Street. “We will be judged by how we take advantage of the opportunities that are presented ourselves. Opportunities to create jobs for countless numbers of Pennsylvanians who need us to lift them out of economic hard times, opportunities to take businesspeople who are doing well but could be doing better, opportunities to make Pennsylvania a leader in industry as opposed to just following.”

Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Building Trades, the umbrella organization for more than 50 member unions in the Greater Philadelphia region, signed a Project Labor Agreement for the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex. Thanks to the agreement, Mariner East will deliver $200 million and up to 1,200 jobs to southeastern Pennsylvania.

Eight years ago, the Marcus Hook facility was just a shell of its current self and only employed around 50 workers. Today, after several billion dollars in investment and more than 5,000 people working on its construction over the last several years, there are now around 200 workers on site, with more expected soon.

“But these projects don’t happen without the pipeline network to safely and responsibly transport and deliver the product for processing,” said Mike Butler, the Consumer Energy Alliance’s Mid-Atlantic Executive Director.

He said that, due to increased production and the use of new technologies that have reduced the price of natural gas, consumers in the Keystone State have saved more than $30.5 billion over that same period of time.

“Those savings go back into our economy; pipelines are helping to power our economy,” said Butler. “We have thousands of miles of pipelines that are safely delivering energy resources each and every day, and that’s helping consumers and businesses while minimizing environmental impacts.”

Read more about the support for developing Pennsylvania’s pipeline infrastructure in The Beaver County Times here.

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