Governor Tom Corbett Highlights Potential for Jobs, Economic Growth from Building Petrochemical Industry in PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett was joined today by members of his cabinet, elected state officials and representatives of labor and business to highlight the importance of bringing a petrochemical complex to Pennsylvania.

The proposed facility in Beaver County would create 10,000 construction jobs and more than 10,000 positions in spinoff production and manufacturing industries. Job impacts would be felt across Pennsylvania.

"We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring a project to Pennsylvania that will be the single-largest industrial investment in the state in more than a generation," said Corbett. "We are investing in a new industrial revolution and we are investing in the opportunity for thousands of Pennsylvanians to have a good job."

A petrochemical complex would include an ethane cracker that would process ethane from "wet" Marcellus natural gas to produce ethylene, one of the primary building blocks for petrochemicals. Ethylene is used for a number of chemical derivatives that are used to produce various products, including food packaging, bottles, house siding, pipes, toys, tires, diapers, footwear, detergent, adhesives and other products.

"This is about labor and business, Democrats and Republicans all standing together to help create jobs in Pennsylvania," said Corbett.

According to the American Chemistry Council, the construction of an ethylene production complex in Pennsylvania will lead to at least 10,000 construction jobs, 400 direct plant jobs, and approximately 17,000 jobs in associated industries that will emerge to support and take advantage of this plant's operations.

Pennsylvania, led by Corbett, beat out tough competition from surrounding states to become the primary choice location for this project. This plant will be the first in the northeastern U.S. and will, in order to be successful, require substantial additional investments from dozens of new manufacturers.

"If we stand by and do nothing we will not only lose the Shell project, but we will also lose our ability to grow this industry in Pennsylvania,'' said Corbett. "Instead, we will see this chance to revive manufacturing being exploited in places like Ohio and West Virginia."

The governor was joined by many supporters of the project, including state elected officials from both sides of the aisle, the Allegheny County Executive, and leaders of trade unions, business groups, and industry associations.

Media contact: Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

Editor's Note:  A full list of program participants from today's event is below.

Julia Hearthway, Secretary, PA Department of Labor & Industry
Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive
Frank Sirianni, President, PA Building Construction Trades Council
Gene Barr, President, PA Chamber of Commerce
Rich Stanizzo, President, Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council
John DeFazio, District Director, United Steelworkers
Frank Snyder, Secretary/Treasurer, PA AFL-CIO
Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence
Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Greene
Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver
Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Allegheny
Dave Taylor, Executive Director, PA Manufacturers Association 

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor