U.S. Energy Department official visits Appalachian region

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Under Secretary Mark W. Menezes recently participated in a roundtable discussion with Pennsylvania lawmakers on economic development in the Appalachian region, toured the Shell Ethylene Cracker Plant and participated in an industry roundtable with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association.

The first roundtable discussion featured members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Marcellus Shale and petrochemical industry stakeholders. Participants discussed opportunities for economic and infrastructure development in the Appalachian region and how utilizing the region’s energy resources could contribute to energy independence.

After the roundtable discussion, Under Secretary Menezes toured the Shell Ethylene Cracker Plant under construction in Potter Township near Pittsburgh. The facility is the largest construction project in the state of Pennsylvania since World War II. It will employ 6,000 workers during peak construction and 600 permanent workers upon completion of construction. Once online, the plant will supply manufacturers throughout Appalachia and the Midwest. It is expected to be capable of producing 1.6 million tonnes of ethylene a year.

“With the support of the President’s recent Executive Order on Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth, there are also opportunities for development of the region’s energy infrastructure and to create expanded markets for Pennsylvania’s shale gas, and other energy products,” a statement from the DOE said last week.

On Friday, Menezes participated in an industry roundtable with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association to discuss actions the federal government could take to support the economic growth of the Appalachian region, including the growth of petrochemicals, energy and manufacturing.

“The Appalachian region has proven gas reserves and utilizing the abundant Marcellus and Utica shale gas, working together we can revitalize, diversify and promote workforce development in the petrochemical, energy and manufacturing sectors,” according to the DOE’s statement.