UGI Energy Services LLC, the midstream and energy marketing subsidiary of UGI Corporation, Wednesday celebrated the start of construction of its Sunbury Pipeline with a groundbreaking ceremony near the 1,124 MW Panda Hummel Station Power Plant it will serve.

UGI Energy Services President Brad Hall welcomed nearly 100 guests to the ceremony. UGI, he told the gathering, is pleased to be a part of a partnership with Panda Power Funds that will result in cleaner power generation and jobs for central Pennsylvania.

“The Sunbury Pipeline Project represents an incremental step forward for Pennsylvania natural gas infrastructure, and a major step forward for Pennsylvania’s energy future,” Hall said. “UGI is excited to continue its more than century-long tradition of putting natural gas to work for Pennsylvania by fueling the state-of-the-art Hummel Station along with enhancing local natural gas supplies.”

Gladys M. Brown, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission, stressed the importance of new pipeline capacity such as the Sunbury Pipeline to transport local energy to Pennsylvania families and businesses.

“Pennsylvania continues to set new records in natural gas production, breaking 4.6 trillion cubic feet last year. Projects like the Sunbury Pipeline provide new capacity to leverage that record production,” Chairman Brown said. “The Sunbury Pipeline Project will not only help bring more local energy to local users, but also help meet our clean power goals by fueling efficient natural gas-fired electric generation.”

Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia) said the Project’s implications reach well beyond the Greater Susquehanna Valley.

"As Senate Majority Whip, I've worked with the General Assembly to craft policies to encourage development of this natural resource. Consumers will benefit from the Sunbury Pipeline as it ensures continued reliable generation of electricity to the regional grid, as well as from economical natural gas prices thanks to the new local supply entering the market," said Sen. Gordner.

Rep. Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R-Northumberland) said central Pennsylvanians recognize the significance of the Sunbury Pipeline to the area.

“Aside from providing clean and affordable fuel for Hummel Station, the Sunbury Pipeline will support hundreds of jobs for people in our area. The Pipeline is another example of how Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas reserves are positively affecting all pockets of the state,” said Rep. Schlegel-Culver.

Joe Lloyd, Vice President of Operations for Panda Power Funds, emphasized what the Sunbury Pipeline means for Panda’s mission to generate clean, natural gas-fueled electricity.

“Panda is thrilled to be constructing one of the largest coal to natural gas power replacement projects in the United States, which would not be possible without the Sunbury Pipeline,” Lloyd said. “Along with UGI, we’re pleased to be contributing to the local economy through our project’s construction and future operation, and proud of what both the Pipeline and Hummel Station mean for Pennsylvania’s long-term energy reliability and economic growth.”

The 35-mile-long Sunbury Pipeline is located entirely within north central Pennsylvania.

When it is finished at the end of 2016, it will carry natural gas from the Transco interstate pipeline in eastern Lycoming County and travel through parts of Montour, Northumberland, Union and Snyder counties on its way to the power plant in Shamokin Dam.

For more information, visit UGI’s Sunbury Pipeline website.  For information on the power plant, visit the Panda Hummel Station Power Project webpage.

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8/29/2016