NiSource Midstream supports STEM-related activities in Pennsylvania

NiSource Midstream Services, part of the Columbia Pipeline Group (CPG), and Range Resources presented a US$ 3500 donation to the Washington Robotics Society to support STEM-related activities for the youth of Washington County, Pennsylvania. This contribution will provide the programme participants with additional opportunities to learn about robotics and computer programming as well as to develop an aptitude for teamwork, planning, technical design and program testing. The check presentation took place at the John F. Kennedy Catholic Middle School in Washington, Pennsylvania, and was attended by representatives of Range Resources, NiSource Midstream Services, programme participants and elected officials.

Chris Gosnell, President of Washington Robotics Society was on-hand to accept the contribution. “Our mission is to inspire the next generation to take its involvement with science, technology, engineering and math to the next level in a friendly environment,” he said. “In order to maintain the economic leadership of the United States in the future, we need to encourage more students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math today. We can’t thank NiSource Midstream and Range Resources enough for their generous contribution to our programme.”

NiSource Midstream is in the process of working with Range Resources on the East Washington Project, a natural gas gathering system that will comprise approximately 20 miles of field gathering pipelines to gather local wellhead production through Washington County, Pennsylvania (North and South Strabane Townships), to feed into a nearby Columbia Gas transmission line. Construction on the gathering system is expected to begin in Q1 2015.

Steve Warnick, Senior Vice President of Commercial Services for NiSource Midstream, emphasised the importance of giving back to local communities. “We are pleased to support the younger generation in an effort to foster its education, and we are happy to be able to give back to Washington County and its youth.

”Range pioneered the development of the Marcellus Shale a decade ago, which is now the largest producing gas field in the nation, and is providing tremendous opportunities here in Southwestern Pennsylvania," said John Applegath, Senior Vice President, Range Resources' Southern Marcellus Shale Division. "Range employs hundreds of engineers and scientists across the country, so we know how important it is for our youth to connect with STEM programmes at an early age. Our partnership with Washington Robotics will help ensure local students are introduced to the skills our experts use every day.”

Pennsylvania State Representative Brandon Neuman stressed the importance of STEM-related training for the next generation of workers. “It's vitally important that the next generation be prepared for a global job market, and I've seen first-hand how students can have fun with robotics programs as they learn the skills necessary to get a career. We thank NiSource Midstream and Range Resources for their generous investment and commitment to the future of our young people. I also want to thank the officers and members of the Washington Robotics Society who, through their dedication and hard work, are having a positive long term impact in our community.”

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/02102014/nisource-midstream-supports-stem-related-activities-in-pennsylvania-869/