Three local divisions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the state’s largest electrical workers union with more than 40,000 members across the state, have joined PEIA. IBEW provides electrical contractors with the best trained and most skilled work force in the industry.
“Energy development in Pennsylvania gives us an economic advantage over other regions, but in order to allow this opportunity to come to full fruition, we have to invest in pipeline infrastructure. And when trades do the work, that’s good news for our workers and great news for our communities, because having skilled tradesmen on the job enhances safety and efficiency in building and maintenance,” said Paul Mullen, business manager for IBEW Local 654, which includes Chester and Delaware counties.
“Whether you’re in the shale regions or not, every Pennsylvanian should benefit from the access we have to safe, reliable energy. Investing in energy infrastructure development is the only way to ensure that this can happen. Pennsylvania has a unique opportunity, with multiple proposed pipeline projects, to bring huge economic benefit to the region while ensuring direct access to our homegrown energy resources,” said Robert S. Bair, business manager and financial secretary of IBEW Local 143 in Dauphin County.
“Pennsylvania currently lacks adequate pipeline capacity to move energy goods to market. Unless we invest in infrastructure to end the logjam here, and ensure our residents benefit from the resources under our feet, our state could lose out to projects seeking to take our energy elsewhere. We’re all familiar with the phrase, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ Well, the reverse is also true. If we don’t build it, others will, and Pennsylvania’s energy could go to places like Texas or the Gulf of Mexico,” said Ryan Helms, business manager of IBEW Local 743 in Berks, Lancaster and Schuylkill counties.