Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association Supports Appalachia Reliability Project

The Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA) has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in support of the Appalachia Reliability Project (ARP), a proposed upgrade to the existing infrastructure aimed at increasing energy capacity in the Appalachia region. The project, led by Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage (EGTS), includes new turbines, four new miles of pipeline, and a new interconnection facility in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The upgrades will increase natural gas capacity by 550,000 dekatherms per day, addressing a critical energy shortage in the region.

Key Takeaways:

• The Appalachia Reliability Project (ARP) is a proposed upgrade to the existing infrastructure to increase energy capacity in the Appalachia region.
• The project, led by Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage (EGTS), includes new turbines, four new miles of pipeline, and a new interconnection facility in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
• The upgrades will increase natural gas capacity by 550,000 dekatherms per day for delivery to the Texas Eastern Pipeline in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and the Rockies Express Pipeline in Monroe County, Ohio.
• The project is necessary to address the growing demand for energy in the region, with PJM Interconnection, LLC predicting a supply shortage by 2030 if not sooner.
• The energy debt created by forced increase of renewable energy sources is also increasing, with a gap of 1,970 trillion BTU between clean, natural gas-based energy distribution and renewable energy distribution.
• The ARP will help reduce the burden of energy debt and bring increased energy resources to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and beyond.
• The project will also help reduce energy costs and bring economic benefits, including new jobs, increased income, lower costs, and stable living.

Statistics:

• 550,000 dekatherms per day increase in natural gas capacity.
• 80,000 megawatts of electricity generation debt in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by 2039.
• 1,970 trillion BTU gap between clean, natural gas-based energy distribution and renewable energy distribution.
• 300 members of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA).

Sources:

• Pittsburgh Works Together, The PJM Grid in Peril: What Will Keep the Lights On? (Aug. 27, 2024).
• FERC document, letter to The Honorable Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• PIOGA document, Appalachia Reliability Project (ARP) support letter.
• Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA).