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Study: Enbridge Pipeline Will Temporarily Support Thousands of Jobs

Minneapolis Minnesota at night

Modernizing existing pipeline infrastructure, like Line 3 in Minnesota, has the potential to create thousands of construction jobs while injecting over $1 billion into the local economy to secure Minnesota’s energy future.

If approved by state regulators, the new pipeline crossing from the northwest corner of the state to the Superior terminal could provide 4,200 construction jobs — half of which would need to be filled by out-of-area workers — with the potential to support many more jobs in other sectors. Indirectly, the study estimates another $500 million in economic benefit that could support 2,800 jobs in retail and hospitality and 1,600 manufacturing and construction supply jobs.

Read more – Duluth News Tribune

Sabal Trail Gas Pipeline to Start Service Tomorrow

Electric transmission lines at dusk

With utilities across Florida investing in new natural gas power plants, pipelines are necessary to ensure that the reduced emissions benefits and affordable power for energy consumers can be achieved.

Gas is quickly becoming the fuel of choice for large electric utilities in states such as Florida because of low prices, coal plant retirements and tougher emissions standards. Gas is projected to surpass coal this year for the second time as the dominant source fuel for power generation, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Sabal Trail could ultimately reduce gas price volatility in Florida by providing more diverse supplies to a state that has little storage.

Read more – Argus Media

Pipeline Congestion Causes Spike in Crude-by-Rail Shipments

Wheat crop

Farmers across the Midwest have suffered in the past with increased transportation costs as they try to get their crops to market as a result of a lack of pipelines – with some crops rotting in the fields or in storage.

Crude coming from the Canadian oil sands faces pipeline congestion on its way to the Gulf Coast, forcing production companies to opt for more expensive rail transport instead.

The lack of pipeline options partially stems from the controversy, and delay, over the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, which was added to a backlog of other pipeline projects crossing the border.

Read more – Houston Chronicle

Norfolkans Have Positive Things to Say About Pipeline Workers, Project

Pipeline welder

Community members like Mark Zimmerer, president of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, came out in support of new energy infrastructure and spoke about the positive outcomes seen by the residents of Norfolk during past construction.

“They entered our community as great corporate citizens and quickly became tremendous community partners for Norfolk and all the communities in our area,” Zimmerer said.

Spouses of the pipeline workers completed a renovation of a crisis center for children, landscaped a children’s playground and volunteered their personal time to help at Bright Horizons and the Orphan Grain Train.

They brought 750 jobs into the area during the construction process, becoming the community’s third largest employer for five months, Zimmerer said.

Read more – Norfolk Daily News

Williams Partners’ Northeast Supply Enhancement Project Expected to Generate $327 Million Economic Impact, Support More Than 3,000 Jobs

Family eating dinner

States across the Mid-Atlantic are expected to see tremendous economic benefits with the construction of the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Project according to new research from Rutgers.

According to researchers at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the design and construction of the Northeast Supply Enhancement project will generate approximately $327 million in additional economic activity (GDP) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. In addition, the project will directly and indirectly generate 3,186 jobs during the one-year construction period, resulting in an estimated $234 million in labor income.

Read more – Penn Energy

Pipelines for America with David Holt

Pipeline Connection

CEA’s David Holt joined Jacki Daily to discuss the Pipelines for America campaign and the positive impact pipeline infrastructure has on lowering utility bills for families.

Read more – The Jacki Daily Show

Looking to Trim Costs? Approve a Pipeline

Stack of pipelines

CEA President David Holt discussed how consumers across the country can see energy bills decrease as a result of pipelines.

Families and businesses in Massachusetts, Connecticut and California, meanwhile, pay over 60 percent more than the national average for their electricity – all because their states don’t have the infrastructure capacity to deliver low-cost energy to their communities.

Read more – Washington Examiner

Keep-it-in-the-Ground Movement Hurts WV

Delegate Frank Deem recently talked about how the Keep-it-in-the-Ground movement is hurting West Virginians.  By being against everything, the movement prevents communities across the state from realizing new economic opportunities – from expanding businesses to better paying jobs.

The “keep it in the ground movement” is actively involved in objecting to the more than $50 billion worth of natural gas pipelines which have been proposed in the U.S. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has said “that blocking of pipeline construction in the Northeast is impacting the economic fortunes of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Ohio will miss out on 2,083 jobs, $78.4 million in employee compensation and $294.5 million in gross domestic product by 2010, Chamber officials said. West Virginia would fail to realize 2,518 jobs, $100.2 million in employee compensation and $159 million in gross domestic products.”

Read more – The Register-Herald

Consumer Energy Alliance Poll Finds West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina Voters Support Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Construction worker welding pipe

Consumer Energy Alliance’s latest poll on energy issues was featured on Daily Energy Insider.

“As we’ve seen in years past, the success of those running for Governor or for seats in this election cycle will hinge on their ability to promote issues that stimulate the economy, create jobs, contribute to the well-being of U.S. families and small businesses, as well as helping to ensure the protection of our environment,” CEA President David Holt said. “And promoting the expansion of domestic energy production and infrastructure, especially pipelines, remains the best way to achieve all of the above.”

 Read more – Daily Energy Insider

Top Five Stories in Energy This Week

energy
Electric transmission lines at dusk

5U.S. Government Plans Major Changes to Energy Management (via The Hill)

Under the administration of former President Barack Obama, energy research and policy was mostly under the purview of the Environmental Protection Agency while the Department of Energy handled administrative matters. The Trump administration is changing the status quo so that that Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who believes that the EPA should have a diminished role in governance, will have more freedom to implement policy. Secretary Perry has mentioned that he will closely evaluate the national electricity grid, particularly with regard to the Clean Power Plan that has sharply reduced coal production in favor of solar, wind and geothermal power. Secretary Perry believes that increasing coal production could improve the financial efficiency of the grid while passing savings on to consumers, but his plans are facing major criticism from some environmental and business segments.

Charging Electric Vehicles

4$450 Rebate for Used Electric Cars in California (via Green Car Reports)

An electric utility in the Golden State is offering customers $450 in rebates when they buy electric cars. Southern California Edison announced its Clean Fuel Rewards Program in the middle of May; the rebate is for customers who have purchased a fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle at anytime. The utility wishes to encourage customers to buy cars that can be recharged with energy distributed through its grid. In Northern California, Pacific Gas and Electric offers a similar rebate of $500. These rebates are part of a state plan to lower vehicle emissions as much as possible by the year 2025.

Oil barrels

3OPEC Plans to Reduce Oil Production (via The New York Times)

The crude oil markets have not been kind to OPEC, and industry leaders are planning accordingly. Technology, policy, renewable energy production, and the expansion of shale oil in the United States are moving OPEC leaders to make long term plans to handle falling oil prices; in the meantime, however, production will be cut with the intention of moving prices upward. The most recent oil production cut carried out by OPEC moved gas prices up slightly, only to fall again in May.

Woman charging cell phone

2New Portable Smartphone Charger Uses Solar Energy (via Digital Trends)

Electronics manufacturers are doing everything possible to increase battery life in smartphones, tablets and portable computers, but consumers are more interested in the ability to charge their devices on the go. Ravpower, a company that specializes in portable chargers, recently introduced a new battery pack that keeps 22,000 mAh in reserve and features three USB connectors for charging multiple devices. This charger is compatible with Ravpower’s 16-watt solar charger, which is portable solar panel that can be easily folded and carried inside a backpack. On Amazon, the Ravpower charger plus its solar companion can be purchased together for about $150.

Wind Farm

1General Electric is Serious About Renewable Energy (via CNBC)

At a recent conference hosted by the American Wind Energy Association, business giant GE announced that its investments into renewable energy projects stand at $15 billion, twice the amount of cash allocated to fossil fuel projects. GE is in a position to be one of the largest global players in terms of renewable energy; the company has financed projects in 17 countries, mostly in wind farms. Although the company has stated that environmental protection has been a major factor behind its investment decisions, there is also the aspect of potential profits, which GE believes will pay off sooner than expected.

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