HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Tom Wolf’s Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force (PITF), led by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Quigley, held their first meeting this afternoon at the DEP South Central Regional Office.

“We are in the midst of a wave of energy development that is unlike any other in the state’s history. The Marcellus shale and shale gas resources generally – including the upcoming Utica play – presents an immense economic opportunity for the commonwealth,” said Sec. Quigley in his opening remarks addressing the 48 member task force. “Governor Wolf wants this industry to succeed and recognizes that the infrastructure challenge is a major one and we need to work together to find the win-win opportunities to connect these wells to markets.”

Workgroups

In addition to the members of the task force, there are also 110 additional volunteers on 12 workgroups. The workgroups will present recommendations to the task force on subjects such as agriculture, natural resource protection, workforce and economic development, emergency preparedness and end-users of natural gas products (a full list of workgroups can be found here)

“As you look at the density of development that is occurring…there are profound environmental and community impacts that we need to take into consideration,” said Quigley.

Best practices

The PITF will deliver a report of best practices for pipeline development to Governor Tom Wolf by February 2016.

Archived livestream of the meeting can be found at the Pipeline Task Force homepage.

More about the task force:

• Governor Wolf announces appointees to Pennsylvania Pipeline Infrastructure Taskforce July 7, 2015
• Gov. Wolf creates task force on pipeline infrastructure development May 28, 2015
• DEP proposes task force for Pennsylvania pipelines March 19, 2015