A state Senate Resolution 29 was unanimously passed March 11 that directs the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to study the potential need for residential, commercial and industrial natural gas service in the Commonwealth, according to the Penn State Extension.
The center will collect and analyze the following information:
• the estimated demand for natural gas service in un-served and under-served areas of the Commonwealth;
• the estimated price consumers are willing to pay for access or conversion to natural gas service;
• identify any regional differences in consumer demand and willingness to pay for natural gas service; and
• any other relevant economic information on the costs and benefits to expand natural gas distribution infrastructure.
The study will be completed by Aug. 1.
According to the Resolution, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that only about 51 percent of Pennsylvania homes are heated with natural gas. Many residents don’t have access to natural gas service due to the lack of natural gas distribution infrastructure.
With the natural gas abundance in the state, the study will help determine if it may be beneficial to lower energy heating costs, provide economic development opportunities, create jobs, and lower net emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide through greater availability throughout the state.
The Senate Resolution 29 may be found here.
