A panel highlights the importance of natural gas infrastructure
WASHINGTON COUNTY—National energy and infrastructure experts from the Grow America’s Infrastructure Now, or GAIN, coalition recently joined with stakeholders, community members and elected officials to present a panel discussion highlighting Pennsylvania’s thriving energy industry and the state’s important contributions to U.S. natural gas production.
Hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, “Growing the Marcellus Shale: How Safe Pipeline Infrastructure Delivers Energy to Consumers in Pennsylvania and Allies Abroad” recognized the state’s role as a top natural gas producer, its capacity to lower U.S. carbon emissions, the importance of pipeline safety and the economic importance of energy exports. The panel featured former Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration official Brigham McCown, former Department of Energy staffer Craig Stevens, Sen. Camera Bartolotta and former Sen. Earl Baker.
Baker, McCown and Stevens represented GAIN at the event. GAIN is a coalition of businesses, trade associations and labor groups united to create jobs and develop infrastructure.
Baker emphasized how natural gas production has helped to transform the state. “Instead of thinking of this as a Rust Belt state,” he said, “people should think of Pennsylvania as an energy leader in the nation and the world.”
McCown agreed, noting the particular importance of the Marcellus Shale. “Rooted right here in Pennsylvania, shale development has transformed our country from a position of dependence on others to a leadership role on the global stage.”
Of course, he added, “Producing far more energy than we have in the past means that new energy highways are needed.”
Bartolotta, co-chair of the Senate Gas and Oil Caucus, is a strong proponent of such “energy highways,” believing that infrastructure development focused on the Marcellus and Utica shale plays is vital.
She went on to address some of the public’s misconceptions surrounding natural gas production and delivery. “Pipelines are the safest and most efficient means of transporting these resources,” she said. The panelists noted that pipelines have a long history of economical and efficient natural gas delivery. And while acknowledging that there have been pipeline incidents, panelists put the focus on an overwhelmingly positive safety record.
“Two-thirds of our energy comes through pipelines, and that’s been happening for over 100 years,” McCown pointed out. “Pennsylvania can continue to lead the way by investing in modern energy infrastructure to safely and efficiently deliver regionally sourced natural gas to American consumers.”