House GOP, manufacturing industry highlight PA’s energy potential

Southeast Pennsylvania is rife with the untapped potential for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG), just one more example of the state’s leadership ability in the nation’s power sector, said State House Republicans and other participants during a May 2 energy roundtable.

“Today’s roundtable is just the beginning of a crucial dialogue on securing Pennsylvania’s energy future,” said State Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), who hosted the roundtable in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. 

“It’s imperative that we address these issues head-on to ensure our energy policies support our economy and provide reliable, affordable energy for all Pennsylvanians,” White added.

The roundtable, held at the Manufacturers’ Association of South Central PA in York, included a diverse group of stakeholders, industry experts, and legislators, including Pennsylvania Reps. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), Seth Grove (R-York), Joe D’Orsie (R-York), and Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks).

“It was my pleasure to host this panel in the manufacturing-rich 47th District,” said D’Orsie. “Energy production is so closely tied to manufacturing output that when we talk about manufacturing, we should also be talking about energy.”

Specific topics discussed during the roundtable focused on bolstering the Commonwealth’s energy sector and enhancing economic growth. Participants also highlighted Pennsylvania’s strategic positioning to bolster global energy needs, as well as the need to lift the “Biden Blockade” on new LNG export permits. 

Such an initiative, said participants, could emulate the economic success of existing facilities and significantly contribute to job creation and economic output.

“Pennsylvania natural gas is the cleanest and most reliable form of energy, making our Commonwealth the most environmentally friendly place to produce energy and manufacture products,” O’Neal said. “The idea that we have to choose between reliable energy production or the environment is a fallacy. We can and should do both.”

In addition to LNG exports, the legislators and industry participants discussed topics such as permitting reform and grid reliability.

The critical need for permitting reform, for instance, should include an established statutory timeframe for permit reviews to ensure predictability and enhance transparency, said participants, noting that such proposed reforms would streamline processes, reduce delays, and uphold the state’s competitiveness in manufacturing and energy production. 

Regarding the importance of grid reliability amid the phasing out of baseload power plants and growing dependency on variable energy sources, participants suggested refining the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards to differentiate energy types, for example, to secure a stable and dependable energy infrastructure for the state’s economic future.

“We were honored to join Rep. White in exploring the topic of an LNG export facility in Pennsylvania and what a project of that magnitude would mean in all corners of the Commonwealth,” said Carl Marrara, executive director of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. “Energy production in Pennsylvania has the potential to power our overseas allies while stabilizing our grid here at home and providing endless opportunities to our workforce.”