Op-Ed: Pennsylvania’s energy mandate

(The Center Square) – The inauguration of President Donald Trump and the start of a new Congress mark a turning point for our nation’s energy future. With a renewed focus on “energy dominance,” Pennsylvania – the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer – is at the forefront of advancing this ambitious mandate.

“The road to energy dominance goes through Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a newly minted member of the powerful Energy and Natural Resources Committee, during a recent hearing.

Voters across Pennsylvania and the nation sent a clear message at the polls in November. They support common sense policies that prioritize the importance of clean, abundant and domestic energy resources to the everyday quality of our lives as well as our nation’s security.

Exit polls and voter surveys showed strong bipartisan support for policies that expand domestic energy production. This was especially true among Pennsylvania’s electorate.

This broad mandate demands swift and strategic action to unlock the full potential of clean and abundant Pennsylvania natural gas. From providing affordable energy to enhancing air quality, creating jobs and strengthening national security, the state’s energy sector is a cornerstone of American progress.

Now is the time to address key policy reforms if we are to maintain this momentum and fully realize these significant benefits.

Permitting reform at the state and federal level is a crucial first step. The current layers of duplicative regulations often delay projects, particularly with pipelines and other critical infrastructure projects, hindering the industry’s ability to meet growing energy demands while providing no additional environmental benefit.

Modernizing these regulations and making them more workable and predictable will accelerate job creation, ensure energy reliability and affordability, and enhance opportunities to expand our manufacturing base.

We’re also pleased to see the Administration reverse President Biden’s misguided and damaging ban on considering new LNG export licenses. By reversing course, the United States sends a strong message to our global trading partners and allies around the world that America is a trusted and strategic partner. Senator Fetterman and Governor Shapiro knew President Biden was wrong to implement this ban and were vocal in their opposition to this politically motivated policy. This was never a partisan issue; it was a Pennsylvania issue.

Inadequate pipeline infrastructure continues to limit Appalachia’s ability to reach both LNG export terminals as well as domestic demand centers, especially new AI- and data center-related areas of growth.

Just look at the facts. Six out of the last seven planned interstate pipeline projects that would move natural gas out of our region have been cancelled or put on indefinite hold due to regulatory red tape and endless litigation delays. These cancellations cost Pennsylvania workers jobs, discourage investment in the Commonwealth, and strengthen the hand of our adversaries abroad. Investments in pipeline development can alleviate supply bottlenecks, reduce energy costs for consumers, and bolster our competitive edge.

Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry plays an equally important role in meeting the needs of American consumers, providing access to energy that’s affordable and available 24/7. And it is doing so while helping to slash our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions faster than any other country on the planet.

Already, natural gas produced in Pennsylvania is considered the cleanest in the world, with a recent federal report confirming Appalachia carries the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of any onshore producing region in the entire country.

And since 2005, the U.S. has slashed GHG emissions economy-wide by 20%, even as the economy continued to expand. Pennsylvania alone has seen a staggering 46% reduction in GHG emissions just from its power generation sector. Technological advancements, coupled with utilization of clean natural gas, has enabled Pennsylvania to both grow its economy while enhancing our air quality and environment.