Two Pittsburgh-area economic development and trade organizations have joined the PA Energy Infrastructure Alliance-- the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

“As a result of Western Pennsylvania’s abundance of natural resources, our region has played a vital role over the last several years in shaping our nation’s energy revolution,” said Bernadette Puzzuole, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 1,100 businesses in the 34 Pennsylvania communities that make up the airport corridor, as well as from neighboring Ohio and West Virginia. “We have seen firsthand the positive economic effects, both directly and indirectly, that pipeline projects have had on many of our communities along the airport corridor.

“Energy is helping Pennsylvania create a thriving, diverse and strong economy, and one that should be a model for other states. It is imperative, therefore, to continue to encourage energy development,” added Puzzuole. “Pipeline projects provide sustainable wages for our region’s residents and help increase revenue for our local businesses. We joined the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance because, for our more than 1,100 members, it’s important to reaffirm our support for developing a modern energy infrastructure across the Commonwealth.”

Also joining PEIA as a new member is the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. For more than 65 years, WPA NECA, which represents electrical contractors throughout Western Pennsylvania, has provided its members with an effective channel through which to express their collective voice on issues affecting the electrical construction industry.

“Investing in energy infrastructure is vital to the economic health of communities in Western Pennsylvania. It benefits thousands of families,” said Chad M. Jones, executive director of WPA NECA. “We represent the most qualified, reliable and experienced contractors in the region and our members are ready to help our commonwealth take its rightful place as one of the premiere energy- producing states in the nation.

“Utilizing qualified electrical contractors on pipeline infrastructure and related development projects ensures that the best-trained professionals are hired for the work,” Jones added. “We live in the communities that the pipelines will serve and we take great pride in ensuring our work will meet and exceed safety requirements. We’re also proud members of the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance, an organization that advocates for pipeline safety and believes minimizing a pipeline’s impact on communities is a key to any development plan.”

The PA Energy Infrastructure Alliance was launched June 8 by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Laborers International Union of North America and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66. There are more than two dozen PEIA members today.

For more information, visit the PA Energy Infrastructure Alliance website or Follow on Twitter: @PAllies4Energy.

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3/21/2016