PENNSYLVANIA — Energy Future PA, a rising coalition championing Pennsylvania’s energy economy, announced this week that it has expanded its partnership roster. The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Steamfitters Local 420, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 654 are the newest additions to the coalition.
Kate Harper, co-chair of Energy Future PA, welcomed the new partners, emphasizing the importance of both the business community and labor unions in shaping Pennsylvania’s energy future. This collective voice is vital as Pennsylvania holds a significant role in the United States’ energy economy, ranking second only to Texas in natural gas reserves and among the top ten consumers of natural gas, coal, petroleum products, and electricity.
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, representing business and civic leaders from the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region, joins forces with Steamfitters Local 420 and IBEW Local 654, representing plumbers, pipefitters, and electrical workers across the region. Their shared vision is a cleaner, more robust energy future for Pennsylvania.
Chellie Cameron, president and CEO, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, underscored the economic implications of embracing clean energy, stating, “Energy Future PA offers a commonsense, holistic approach to our energy strategy that we believe will benefit Pennsylvania businesses and communities.”
Investments in the energy sector will create and sustain well-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians, boosting local economies. This was a key factor in the Greater Philadelphia Chamber and local unions endorsing the federal investment in regional hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania.
The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) project in the Philadelphia region and the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) project, encompassing western Pennsylvania, are set to receive a portion of the $7 billion in federal hydrogen hub funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Jim Snell, business manager, Steamfitters Local 420, highlighted the potential of hydrogen hubs to power the local economy and create jobs, asserting the need for focused investment in innovative energy strategies. Bill Adams, president and assistant business manager, IBEW Local 654, echoed this sentiment, affirming Pennsylvania’s legacy as a national energy powerhouse.
The coalition also includes the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry; Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences; the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council; and PDC Machines, a Bucks County-based manufacturer of hydrogen compressors and fueling stations.
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing Pennsylvania’s energy economy, reinforcing its role as a leading energy supplier while paving the way for a sustainable future.
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