Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the extension of a three-state agreement with Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio to collaborate on efforts to maximize the use of the shared natural gas resources in the Appalachian Basin.

The extension of this agreement by all states signifies to domestic and international markets that the region’s shared goal is to maximize opportunities for these resources to be used to support additional manufacturing opportunities within the region rather than to simply export the resources to other areas.

“The shale gas resources in the Appalachian Basin represent enormous economic opportunity not just for Pennsylvania, but for the region as a whole,” Gov. Wolf said. “We have a unique proposition: abundant and low-cost feedstock for petrochemical and plastics manufacturing, all within the same geographic footprint. I’m proud to continue our successful collaboration with Ohio and West Virginia to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support additional development – and the jobs and economic growth that go with it – in a region with an unprecedented natural resource.”

Originally signed in 2015, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governors of the three-member states of the Tri-State Shale Coalition has led to significant progress in the areas of commonly shared infrastructure, workforce, marketing, and research.

The three states have collaborated to share information about successful policy, organize workshops and training activities, create a regional workforce platform, promote economic growth and job creation, and more.

Additionally, recent studies like Team Pennsylvania’s IHS Markit report have reinforced the significance of the downstream economic potential of the shale, including up to four ethane crackers in addition to the Shell cracker plant currently under construction in Beaver County that will create thousands of jobs.

Numerous other independent studies demonstrate similar economic opportunities and signify the strong need for continued cooperation between the three states.

Click Here for a copy of the original agreement signed in 2015 and amendment. The extension of this MOU will automatically renew the agreement on an annual basis through December 31, 2021.

NewsClips:

3 States Extend Their Agreement To Work Together On Shale Gas

Study: Petrochemical Projects In Region Much More Profitable Compared To Gulf Coast

[Posted: March 21, 2018]

3/26/2018