McKinley, Miller, Mooney Introduce Legislation to Promote the Creation of An Appalachian Storage Hub

Statement

Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E., (W.Va.-1), Carol Miller (W.Va.-3) and Alex Mooney (W.Va.-2) introduced legislation that would direct the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to provide funds to help in the creation of an Appalachian petrochemical hub.

When Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area in August 2017, the storm not only impacted an untold number of homes and businesses, it also exposed a weakness in America's petrochemical industry. About 95 percent of America's production of ethylene is produced on the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana -- a region exposed to major storms like Hurricane Harvey.

"Investing in our energy infrastructure will help grow our economy and make America more secure. The development of a storage and distribution hub for natural gas liquids (NGLs) in Appalachia would create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, spark new investments, and bring billions of dollars in revenue to the region," Congressman McKinley said. "Through American ingenuity and research, we have emerged as a leading producer of energy. We need to use our resource to attract value added manufacturing. We must make this project a priority so that we can ensure that our domestic supply is not at risk."

The construction of an ethane storage hub would not only benefit national security but would boost economic development and bring new jobs to Appalachia. Full text of the Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative Act (H.R. 4433) can be read here

"West Virginia is an energy state, it is our past and it will be our future. The Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative Act goes a long way in undoing the damage from the previous administration's War on Coal and creates a new level of stability in our energy industry," Congresswoman Miller said. "This legislation will create good-paying, dependable jobs, grow our economy, and provide much-needed infrastructure development throughout the region. I'm proud to join with Congressman McKinley and Congressman Mooney to ensure that West Virginia remains an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family now and for generations to come."

The storage hub has received strong vocal support from the Trump Administration with Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry taking a specific interest in the idea of an Appalachian storage hub.

"The Appalachian Regional Energy Hub presents a great opportunity to further develop and grow West Virginia's energy sector. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, West Virginia's economy has been growing and this energy hub will further help our communities and create jobs," Congressman Mooney said. "Glad to work Congressman McKinley, Congresswoman Miller and my colleagues in the West Virginia Delegation on this important regional priority."

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