LEBANON, 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.
Abe Amoros, state legislative director at Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA!), which has more than 25,000 members in Pennsylvania:“Study after study shows that pipelines are the safest, most efficient form of transportation for energy resources. Because of advanced training, U.S. laborers have the knowledge and experience to build these projects safely, and with minimal impact on the environment and to communities. For thousands of workers across our state, these projects aren’t just pipelines; they’re also a lifeline to family-supporting jobs.”
Ryan Helms, Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 743: “Every Pennsylvanian should benefit from the access we have to safe, reliable energy. But right now, our commonwealth lacks adequate pipeline capacity to move energy goods to market.We have a unique opportunity to bring huge economic benefits to the region while ensuring direct access to our homegrown energy resources. We need to invest in infrastructure to end the logjam here, and we need to ensure these projects are built to the highest standards through the use of skilled labor with advanced training and experience.”
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 Lebanon County hearing was the second 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.