PVR Partners Sponsors Emergency Response Training Program For Local First Responders And Public Safety Officials

RADNOR, Pa., April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PVR Partners, L.P. ("PVR") (NYSE: PVR) sponsored Gas Pipeline Emergencies Training today for first responders and public safety officials in Wyoming and Luzerne Counties, Pennsylvania.  More than 45 people participated in today's program, which was hosted by the Kunkle Fire Company and included a tour of PVR's dehydration facility in Monroe Township.

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Today's training program was designed to help local fire service and industry emergency responders develop the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively manage a pipeline incident.  The program sponsored by PVR Partners is based upon nationally recognized operating and engineering practices and training programs, and was designed by a team of hazardous materials specialists through a cooperative agreement between the US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the National Association of State Fire Marshals. The instruction curriculum, considered to be best-in-class, was developed by well-respected experts in pipeline safety and firefighter training.

Bill Shea, President and CEO of PVR's general partner, said, "We are pleased to sponsor this important training opportunity for local first responders and public safety officials.  We deeply appreciate the dedicated and selfless service that first responders and public safety personnel provide in our local communities.  PVR Partners is totally committed to the safe operation of all of our pipelines and facilities. Our first priority is the safety of both our neighbors and our employees.  We believe that today's training program gave the fire service community, PVR personnel and others in the gas pipeline industry an excellent opportunity to work together in planning and preparation activities that will enable the safe, expedient, and efficient handling of a pipeline incident."

In addition to members of the hosting Kunkle Fire Company, representatives from Harvey's Lake Fire Company, Northmoreland Fire Company, Noxen Fire Company, Jackson Township Fire Company, Wyoming County EMA, Luzerne County EMA, Dallas Township EMA, Eaton Township EMA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission attended the training program.  Participants reported the instruction was both helpful and informative, and better prepared them to respond in the event of a potentially threatening situation or actual emergency event.

Jack Dodson, Fire Chief, Kunkle Volunteer Fire Company, said, "This is all new to us.  The first few times we had to respond to emergencies we had no idea what to expect.  This type of training is incredibly valuable.  Today we learned how to identify an emergency and the exact protocol to follow for handling the situation safely and efficiently.  The PVR guys have treated us with dignity and professionalism; they have helped us 100%.  We need to facilitate a collaborative relationship between emergency responders and gas workers.  The public doesn't seem to understand that natural gas is safe.  We're going to work together to ensure operations remain that way."

Gene Dziak, Director, Wyoming County EMA, said, "It is vitally important for emergency response people to understand the operations and characteristics of the various systems and facilities they are dealing with such as compression stations and dehydration systems.  It is important that we educate the public.  Partnerships between emergency responders and the gas industry are essential for addressing potential issues.  These types of educational events are beneficial to participants and our community."

The training was facilitated by Phillip Oakes, National Program Director/Trainer for the National Association of State Fire Marshals.  Oakes is a certified Fire Officer III, Fire Service Instructor III, Hazardous Materials Incident Commander, Fire Inspector and Fire Investigator, and holds a degree in Fire Science.  Prior to taking his current position, Oakes served as the State Training Director for the Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office, where he was responsible for coordinating the activities of the State Training Division.  He has also served as a board member for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and has held various fire service positions since 1993, including serving as a firefighter, Public Information Officer, Engineer, Training Officer, and Operations Chief.

PVR Partners, L.P. (NYSE: PVR) is a publicly traded limited partnership which owns and operates a network of natural gas midstream pipelines and processing plants, and owns and manages coal and natural resource properties.  Our midstream assets, located principally in Texas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, provide gathering, transportation, compression, processing, dehydration and related services to natural gas producers.  Our coal and natural resource properties, located in the Appalachian, Illinois and San Juan basins, are leased to experienced operators in exchange for royalty payments.  More information about PVR is available on our website at www.pvrpartners.com.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that PVR expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside PVR's ability to control or predict, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, regulatory, economic and market conditions, our ability realize the anticipated benefits from the acquisition of Chief Gathering, the timing and success of business development efforts and other uncertainties.  Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our press releases and public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

SOURCE PVR Partners, L.P.