Williams receives support for its Atlantic Sunrise project

The nearly US$3 billion energy infrastructure investment will contribute to the growth and development of the state’s economy and create thousands of jobs for workers. In 2015, Pennsylvania State University forecasted that the Atlantic Sunrise project could directly and indirectly support approximately 8000 jobs in the 10 Pennsylvania counties during the project’s construction phase, resulting in an estimated US$1.6 billion economic impact in the project area.

A petition, signed by over 3000 supporters, requesting swift state regulatory approval of the project was recently delivered to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. In addition, over 1200 people and organisations have submitted supportive comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) during a public comment period.

“Pennsylvania is poised, perhaps unlike at any other time in recent memory, to benefit in every way – new jobs, better wages, reduced energy costs, increased tax revenue and economic prosperity for generations to come,” said Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council President, Jeff Logan. “After nearly three years of intense regulatory scrutiny, it is time for our own state government to complete its review of this important infrastructure project so that Pennsylvanians can immediately benefit from the economic growth and jobs it promises to deliver.”

“Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise project addresses this critical need, allowing us to capitalise on this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry President, Gene Barr. “While the components are there for sustainable economic growth and prosperity, the lack of energy infrastructure to move this clean burning, low cost commodity to markets hinders immediate job growth and economic opportunity in our state. The time to build this project is now.”

After receiving a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from FERC in February 2017, Atlantic Sunrise can begin delivering benefits to Pennsylvania once the remaining state permits to begin construction are secured.

Construction on the Central Penn Line (the greenfield portion of the pipeline project) is expected to begin in 3Q17, which would allow the full project capacity to be placed into service in mid-2018.

“Growth in the energy industry can create steady, reliable careers for millions of men and women in our country and in this state,” said Dave Horn, LECET Representative, Mid-Atlantic LIUNA. “More specifically, pipeline work is a life line for good union jobs with family-supporting pay resulting in millions of dollars being reinvested back into the community and local businesses.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/12052017/williams-receives-support-for-its-atlantic-sunrise-project/