Cracker Plant Has Potential to Create Jobs, Grow Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Economy / Since 2012, Casey Has Pushed for Cracker Plant Project / In Letter to Shell, Casey Cites Region’s Skilled Workforce
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to Mark Quartermain, President of Shell Energy North America, urging the company to continue to move forward with its plan for an ethane cracker plant in Beaver County. The project has the potential to create a significant number of jobs while continuing the region’s role in producing natural gas and in developing associated industries. In his letter to Shell Energy, Casey cited the region’s highly skilled workforce in pushing for the project. Casey first urged Shell in 2012 to take steps towards building a cracker plant in Beaver County.
“Moving forward with this cracker plant will bring jobs to Southwestern Pennsylvania and continue the region’s nationally recognized role as a leader in natural gas production and in related industries,” Senator Casey said. “The region is ready for this project and I’m urging Shell to take the next steps in making the cracker plant in Beaver County a reality.”
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter can be seen below:
December 9, 2013
Mr. Mark Quartermain
President
Shell Energy North America, L.P.
Two Houston Center, Plaza Level I
909 Fannin Street
Houston, Texas 77010
Dear Mr. Quartermain:
Throughout the last two years, I have encouraged Shell to build an ethane-fed cracker plant in Pennsylvania. As 2013 draws to a close and your company prepares to make its final decision on whether to build a plant in the Appalachian region, I want to remind you that Pennsylvania has everything Shell needs to make this considerable project an enormous success.
The Commonwealth has an established work force, access to water, communities with a long history of working cooperatively with industry, an extensive rail transportation network and appropriate real estate. Pennsylvania’s outstanding higher education network will advance Shell’s innovation. Further, Shell is uniquely positioned to supply a cracker plant with ethane from its nearby wells, as well as those of other producers.
I am hopeful that Shell will use all that Pennsylvania has to offer to explore natural gas as an energy source and to supply the increasing demand for petrochemical feedstock and products. As you know, the end uses for these substances will help stimulate manufacturing capabilities in numerous categories, including fibers, agricultural chemicals, plastics and automotive products.
Petrochemical plants are not without risks, but I have faith that Shell’s long experience will help it to design and build its facilities to run cleanly, safely and efficiently. I am optimistic that a Shell facility will serve as the foundation of an industrial and manufacturing expansion that will bring thousands of construction and production jobs to Pennsylvania. I encourage you to take this opportunity to build on Pennsylvania’s long manufacturing history and invest in the region.
Thank you for interest in investing in Pennsylvania. I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
