Letter to the editor: Energy is cornerstone of Pa.'s economy

America’s economy is growing — and fast. The recent jobs report reflects the hard-working American businesses powering our economy.

Pennsylvania’s natural gas and oil industry supports more than 423,000 jobs, providing economic development here in the southwest region of our state and across the commonwealth. Smart energy policies can help support these and future jobs across the supply chain to keep America’s economy strong.

But lawmakers must implement the right energy strategies. These include opening more federal lands and waters to natural gas and oil leases to enable future production. Lawmakers should also enact comprehensive permitting reform to get critical infrastructure built in a reasonable timeframe, especially important to Pennsylvania, where pipeline takeaway capacity is constrained, and urge the Biden administration to lift its pause on new and pending liquefied natural gas export permits.

Energy is the cornerstone of our economy. Policies that support American natural gas and oil production can help provide jobs, cost reductions and affordable energy in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

Stephanie Catarino Wissman

Harrisburg

The writer is executive director of the American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania.