The last 24 hours brought two major announcements related to energy infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania.
First, a U.S. federal appeals court lifted the temporary stay of construction on the 186-mile Atlantic Sunrise pipeline. The $3 billion pipeline, which recently began construction, is expected to support 8,000 jobs, with construction activities generating about $16.9 million in additional state taxes and supporting a payroll totaling about $501.6 million during the construction phase alone. The skilled laborers and highly trained workers who were left wondering what came next after the stay was imposed earlier this week are now back on the job.
Second, Shell Chemical Appalachia announced the official start of the main construction phase of its “cracker” plant in western Pennsylvania. Site preparation as well as the detailed design and engineering phases have concluded. The next step is underway on this generational project that promises to transform the regional economy and bring new opportunities for decades to come.
If you are reporting on either of these events, please find below a statement by the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance. Feel free to quote me, Kurt Knaus, as spokesman:
“Credit the court for understanding the importance of Atlantic Sunrise and swiftly recognizing the years of review that already went into this project’s legal approval. Workers are back on the job building this critical infrastructure rather than sitting and waiting. That’s good news for Pennsylvania. Shell’s announcement also is good news, marking another milestone in this transformational project. Make no mistake about it: All of these projects are like pieces of a puzzle. Shale fields produce the gas, pipelines deliver it to market and new industries grow. When all of the pieces come together, Pennsylvania and its residents benefit.”
For more than two years, the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance has advocated for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure and boosts in economic activity.
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Kurt Knaus, Spokesman
Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance
P: 717-571-5687
Harrisburg, Pa.
PEIA is a broad-based coalition of labor, agriculture, manufacturing and other business interests statewide that support private investment in pipeline and other energy infrastructure developments.