“You can’t live in today’s modern society without the benefits of natural gas development. Nor do we want to,” Marcellus Shale Coalition Board Chair Lisa McManus, of Pennsylvania General Energy, told attendees at the MSC’s first in-person meeting of the year.

Her remarks reflect a common theme coming out of the general membership meeting: Pennsylvania’s natural gas resources are the engine keeping Pittsburgh and Western PA’s economy moving – from the world’s first independently-powered airport to the city’s burgeoning tech, R&D and manufacturing sectors.

  • “There is no doubt about it, we are the keystone of this region, this Keystone State, and the American economy,” McManus continued.

Gas the “Backbone” of PIT’s Resilience

  • Guest speaker Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Pittsburgh International Airport, delivered a powerful message on the transformative role of natural gas in the airport’s resiliency:
    • For one, on-site natural gas development has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties paid to the airport, which is helping to fund the billion-dollar terminal revitalization plan along with other critical upgrades.
    • It’s also enhancing the broader Neighborhood 91 Area – the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA)’s manufacturing campus – by readying the site as a hub for alternative transportation fuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Compressed Natural Gas.
  • Most notably, PIT’s cutting-edge microgrid, backed predominately by natural gas, ensures seamless airport operations – even in the face of grid failures that cripple other major transportation hubs – while keeping energy costs and emissions low.
    • The microgrid saves the airport $1 million in energy costs and reduces CO2 emissions by 6 million pounds annually, the New York Times That’s the equivalent of taking more than 500 cars off local roadways.
    • In stark contrast to recent disruptions at Heathrow Airport last week, PIT stands as a shining example of how innovative energy solutions born in Pennsylvania keep the world moving.
      • The Pittsburgh airport faced little impact when two offsite substation fires forced PIT to disconnect from the grid in early March. While maintaining its connection to the grid for emergency or backup power, the microgrid is capable of operating in “island mode” disconnected from the traditional power grid, Blue Sky News

Allegheny County’s Shale-Driven Growth

  • Reliable energy is at the heart of what’s been dubbed the “AI Industrial Revolution”, and Allegheny County – anchored by its legacy as an epicenter of tech, manufacturing and innovation – is uniquely positioned to meet this moment thanks to a natural gas-fueled economy.
    • “Economic growth is our North Star, and we’re all here today to celebrate how the natural gas sector is delivering those growth opportunities,” Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development said in her remarks at the general membership meeting.
  • Pashman’s presentation highlighted the transformational growth opportunities on Pittsburgh’s horizon, including data center development, AI and robotics, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, each of which are underpinned by access to affordable, reliable energy only natural gas provides.
    • “Natural gas is essential to meeting our energy demand and positioning for a thriving economic future,” she said.
    • Additionally, Allegheny County and municipal governments have received nearly $30 million in natural gas tax revenue since 2012, which have been dubbed critical to advancing county-wide economic development. Another $25 million in natural gas tax revenue has been provided for nearly 200 environmental, recreation, infrastructure and conservation projects.

A Call for Action

  • Indeed, Pittsburgh – and the Commonwealth as a whole – stand at the center of America’s energy dominance agenda. As we look to the future, the MSC remains committed to advocating for commonsense solutions that recognize the benefits of natural gas and ensure politically-motivated opponents don’t hinder our ability to provide stability and growth for generations to come.
    • MSC President Welty: “A robust MSC membership is a reflection of the competitiveness of the basin, particularly here in Pennsylvania. But we are under constant threat from our detractors and policies that are not conducive to development and related opportunities.”
    • To join the MSC’s grassroots efforts and engage in campaigns protecting the development and use of Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas, enroll today in United Stale Advocates (USA).