The Joint Committee on Natural Gas Development met with Bob Orndorff, state policy director, to discuss positive workforce data for gas-related construction in West Virginia.
Since 2016, employment has increased by 28 percent from 13,408 to 22,514 jobs in West Virginia.
Additionally, the total direct wages from the industry has increased from $1.1 billion in 2016 to $1.5 billion 2017, marking a 36.4 percent increase. Through the first two quarters of 2018, the direct wages are upwards of $935 million, and is expected to surpass last year’s quarter numbers.
Orndorff also gave the committee updates on the current pipelines constructed in West Virginia, including: Atlantic Coast Pipeline, Mountain Valley Pipeline, and the TransCanada’s Mountaineer Express.
Orndorff also asked the committee to consider new legislation for the 2019 session. Some of his proposals included creating opportunities to use natural gas in West Virginia through amending Senate Bill 390, enhancing the community college system to support the industry, promoting storage hubs, and supporting the pipeline development.
The committee asked Orndorff specific questions about four permits currently suspended for a pending court case in the 4th Circuit of Appeals. The permits pertain to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, crossing the Appalachian Trail, and the Monongahela National Forest.
The 4th Circuit will hear the case in March of this year and if they win, then construction of the pipeline may continue. If the industry loses in March, Orndorff said they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
