Sensible energy policy in Pa. should not be a partisan issue

There is no doubt that Pennsylvania is now a national and indeed world leading energy producer. The natural gas boom that the Keystone State has experienced over the last decade, and the underlying infrastructure work that has supported this increased energy production, contributes substantially to our economic growth and to our local communities.

The energy sector in Pennsylvania supports over

320,000 jobs and contributes over $45 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy. Additionally, the impact fee energy producers pay has contributed another $1.7 billion to local and state government since 2012, helping fund projects such as fire departments, schools, and wildlife conservation. Average Pennsylvanians meanwhile are saving $1,200 annually on their home heating bills due to widely available natural gas in the state, and the transition to cleaner burning natural gas for power generation has reduced carbon emissions generated in the state by 30%.

Yet as it has become increasingly clear that Pennsylvania’s economic and environmental future depend on the continuing growth of its energy sector and the infrastructure that underpins it, a number of officials in Harrisburg and Washington are considering policies that would undermine this crucial sector of our state’s economy. From blanket fracking bans to halting oil and gas development on federal lands, these policies would devastate an industry that has bolstered our state and national economy in recent years and should be avoided. As leaders from both sides of the political aisle, we would like to state unequivocally that such common-sense energy policies should not be a partisan issue.

In addition to the moratoriums on energy development under consideration, environmental activists are utilizing a playbook that aims to demonize any infrastructure projects that would help us transport or capitalize on our natural resources, from cracker facilities to pipelines.

Take for example the Shell Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex, an ethylene cracker facility under construction in Beaver County. With over

8,000 workers on the construction site, it is poised to be the single largest source of private investment in the state since World War II. Additionally, the ingredients created by the facility are fundamental in the production of personal protection equipment (PPE), essential tools that keep our frontline workers and medical professionals safe during these precarious times.

Despite its clear benefit, completion of the facility has been slowed down by legal challenges against an industry that typically pays

$20,000 a year more than the state’s average wage earner. Imagine the benefits that a timely completion of this project would bring: an economic shot in the arm when our state economy needs it most, along with greater access to the PPE that has often been in short supply this year for frontline workers.

Pipelines, another essential component of the energy development process, have generated significant controversy recently but are still the safest way to move affordable energy to consumers. These projects are an investment in our communities, particularly in rural areas where longterm, well-paying jobs are often hard to come by. On the other hand, cancelling these projects can also have repercussions that extend beyond a state’s borders.

According to a recent Consumer Energy Alliance Report, Pennsylvania has suffered economically as a result of cancellations or holds of several important pipelines by regulators in other states. The Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, for example, would have generated $63.6 million in economic activity for Pennsylvania. Yet while the project was blocked for supposed environmental reasons, in reality its completion would have removed the carbon emissions equivalent of a half-million vehicles by replacing higher-emitting fuel stocks with cleaner burning natural gas.

If state and federal policy makers want to get our economic future back on track and are serious about the environment, then they need to stand up for sensible energy development and other energy infrastructure projects. Too often, misguided environmental activism that aims to have Pennsylvania abandon its energy industry altogether has doomed such projects. We would be wise to avoid the partisan campaign pledges and politically motivated lawsuits and instead adopt a bipartisan, common sense approach to our energy policy.

T.J. Rooney is a former member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives for the counties of Lehigh and Northampton, and former Pennsylvania Democratic Party chairman. Earl Baker is a former Pennsylvania State Senator, representing Chester County, and is the former

GOP State Chairman. He also served as a Chester County Commissioner.