Nov. 01, 2023
HARRISBURG—Pennsylvania’s bipartisan Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force, chaired by Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), held its last meeting today and adopted a final report on the best and safest way to increase the export of LNG.
“Our abundant natural gas resources not only fuel economic growth within the Commonwealth but also offer us a unique opportunity to meet growing energy demand across the globe, while creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in yearly economic activity that can benefit communities in the Southeast region,” said White. “Now, after several hearings in which we heard from experts and gathered volumes of information, our task force adopted a final report on how Pennsylvania can best manage the safe and secure export of this crucial commodity while supporting Pennsylvania workers.”
Recommendations contained in the final report include:
• Facilitating pathways to support the current skilled labor workforce, and workforce of the future, by promoting educational opportunities and partnerships with the industry, institutions of higher education, and K-12 schools—especially those located in the Greater Philadelphia area and surrounding communities.
• Streamlining and improving the permitting process in Pennsylvania to balance regulatory considerations with the need for an effective and efficient permitting process to attract investment in Pennsylvania.
• Calling upon Congress to modernize the Jones Act to facilitate the transport of LNG between U.S. ports.
“As this report shows, Pennsylvania is poised to help address the increasing global demand for affordable, reliable energy by leveraging its abundant supply of natural gas and exporting LNG overseas,” said Stephanie Catarino Wissman, executive director, American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania. “Under the leadership of Rep. White, this task force has put forth a comprehensive report and roadmap for Pennsylvania to establish an LNG export facility that would bring significant new investment and economic growth to the region and generate thousands of new jobs. Advancing the recommendations outlined in the report, including permitting reform at the state and federal level, is critical to developing an LNG export terminal and thus expanding Pennsylvania’s role as a global energy leader.”
“I applaud policymakers for embracing this opportunity to strengthen Pennsylvania's standing as a leading energy supplier during this critical time,” said Toby Z. Rice, president and chief executive officer of EQT Corporation. “For the first time in decades, the number of people without access to electricity increased in 2022. The task force’s report is clear – making clean, affordable, reliable Appalachian natural gas available on a global scale will increase energy security, decrease global emissions and promote family-sustaining jobs across the Commonwealth. We have an incredible opportunity before us to unleash U.S. LNG from Pennsylvania, which will not only address the global energy shortage but generate thousands of jobs for Pennsylvanians.”
Jim Snell, business manager, Steamfitters Local 420, also commented on acceptance of the report. “I am thrilled with the adoption of the final report from the Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force. This is an important step toward realizing the economic benefits of an LNG export terminal in our region, which can create thousands of well-paying union jobs and support the hard-working men and women in our community.”
White said the recommendations in the report are aimed at growing PA’s economy, supporting Pennsylvania workers, and developing our future workforce.
“The adoption of this report is especially important in light of today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court voiding Pennsylvania’s entrance into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state energy tax program that would have increased energy costs for Pennsylvanians,” said White. “We have the opportunity to not only increase energy production safety and efficiently and work toward reduce energy costs for Pennsylvania consumers.”
The Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force is comprised of a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of the General Assembly, representatives of the natural gas industry, organized labor, the Port of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Gas Works, the Mayor of Philadelphia and members of the governor’s administration.
Representative Martina White
170th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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