PEIA Members Testify in Favor of Mariner East Pipeline Project at DEP Hearing in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Members of the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance (PEIA) testified today before the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to endorse the Mariner East 2 pipeline project and promote the need for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure that will help Pennsylvania realize the full economic potential of domestic natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas production.

David E. Black, President and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC: “The benefits of oil and gas development stretch far beyond the wellhead. Even though our region doesn’t sit squarely within the shale plays, area businesses have benefited and grown by supplying and supporting developers, and local manufacturers have made gains in enhancing their competitiveness thanks to cheaper energy prices. The next step is to ensure we have a safe, reliable energy infrastructure in place to sustain this growth, support these regional and statewide revitalizations, and power consumers and businesses in our region and across the commonwealth.”

Tom Palisin, Executive Director of The Manufacturers’ Association: “Most businesses, and manufacturing especially, are energy-intensive operations. And natural gas plays a big role in this economic lifecycle right now. We believe increased access to abundant, low-cost natural gas can provide that competitive edge — both in helping existing manufacturers grow and in attracting new businesses to our local markets.”

Elizabeth “Beth” Downey, President, The Pennsylvania State Grange: “I can tell you firsthand that Pennsylvania farmers have a rich tradition as stewards of the land. We have a strong connection to our surroundings. And, we only support projects that strike the right balance between respecting the land and putting it to proper use for the benefit or Pennsylvanians. In other words, Grange members are concerned both about energy production — to become less dependent upon foreign and often volatile energy imports — and environmental issues.”

PEIA members testified in person or submitted comments for the record to the DEP, which is convening five hearings through Aug. 18, all along the path of Mariner East 2 project. The Harrisburg hearing was the fourth in that series. PEIA is a broad-based coalition of labor, agriculture, manufacturing and other business interests that support private investment in pipeline and other energy infrastructure developments. The alliance has more than 30 members statewide.

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The Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance was launched June 8, 2015 by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Laborers International Union of North America and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66. Visit www.paallianceforenergy.com for more information, or go to Twitter @PAllies4Energy.

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