Michigan and Ohio agriculture, manufacturing, and business groups have formed a coalition to support the construction of a proposed $4.3 billion natural gas pipeline that will run through Michigan and other states and will have a direct economic impact on local and regional communities creating up to 10,000 temporary jobs.
The pipeline will transport domestically produced natural gas from processing facilities in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania to Michigan and Canada, along with other Midwest states.
“Pipeline projects generate substantial economic benefits for our communities, including tens of thousands of well-paying local construction jobs and millions in annual tax revenues,” says Geno Alessandrini Sr., business manager of the Michigan Laborers’ District Council and a member of the Coalition for the Expansion of Pipeline Infrastructure.
If approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Houston-based Energy Transfer Partners intends to begin construction early next year, with the pipeline expected to be completed in Michigan by June 2017.
“Thousands of jobs are supported throughout the supply chain — jobs for manufacturers that make the steel pipe and many other components required for a major infrastructure project,” Alessandrini says.
The Rover Pipeline, estimated to run about 800 miles, will deliver 40 percent of its daily volumes of natural gas to multiple delivery points in Michigan. The proposed pipeline is expected to run through Lenawee, Washtenaw, Livingston, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties.
Michigan organizations in the Coalition for the Expansion of Pipeline Infrastructure include, the Michigan Laborers’ District Council, the Land Improvement Contractors Association — Michigan, Michigan Laborers’ District Council, Land Improvement Contractors Association — Michigan, Michigan Chemistry Council, Michigan Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, Michigan United Association, and Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.
