January brought the return of the Pennsylvania Farm Show to central PA, with a weeklong celebration of the state’s $185 billion agricultural industry — one of Pennsylvania’s biggest and most essential — along with the energy industry. These two economic powerhouses generate billions of dollars and employ hundreds of thousands of people to ensure state and local economies remain strong.

The Farm Show demonstrated how agriculture and natural gas can come together, and The Stream was there to cover what this partnership means for Pennsylvania.

Shale spotlight: Natural gas in the news

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s plan to bail out coal and nuclear plants. FERC asked grid operators to suggest ideas for making the system more resilient.
• Natural gas consumption in suburban Philadelphia hit records during the recent cold snap. Peco Energy Co. reported that demand reached 804,372 cubic feet on a single day this month.
• Appalachia is expected to lead the nation in natural gas production through February, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration report. The region is expected to increase production by 377 million cubic feet over January projections.
• Energy companies are working around opposition and improving infrastructure by supersizing old pipelines. Executives at some of North America’s biggest pipeline operators say they have pivoted toward the strategy as plans for new pipelines have come under attack.
• For the first time since at least 1957, the United States has become a net exporter of natural gas on an annual basis. The trend should move forward thanks to a projected increase in natural gas sent by pipeline to Mexico and a growing number of liquefied natural gas shipments to the rest of the world.

The Stream: What’s in the pipeline

Coming up from The Stream in February, look for more original perspectives from the natural gas industry.

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Joe Massaro

Joe Massaro is based in Bravo Group's Pittsburgh office and has deep energy industry expertise. He previously served as the field director for a Pennsylvania-based oil and gas industry grassroots PR firm.

Agriculture is an essential part of Pennsylvania’s economy. The scenic farms that pepper the state’s landscape form a $185 billion industry. Thanks to Pennsylvania’s shale boom, energy has also grown into a vital part of our economy. So it’s fitting that the natural gas industry is celebrating the agriculture during the Pennsylvania Farm Show through Jan. 13.

In a February 2017 op-ed for the Lebanon Daily News, Dave Williams of Pennsylvania Farm Country Radio called the shale revolution a “huge boost for Pennsylvania agriculture.” He noted how the abundance of natural gas has led to decreases in the prices of diesel fuel and fertilizer, while royalty payments from natural gas operators have kept many small farms operational.

Williams’ points illustrate how imperative the partnership between the energy and agricultural sectors is for Pennsylvania’s economy. Natural gas and agribusiness are two of the state’s key industries, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Energy and agriculture together generate billions of dollars and employ hundreds of thousands, ensuring state and local economies remain strong.

The Farm Show is another example of how agriculture and natural gas can come together. In October at the Midstream PA 2017 conference, representatives of Sunoco Pipeline and PennAg Industries Association discussed how they partnered to develop and launch a biosecurity training module that raises awareness of basic farm safety and etiquette for all sectors, including energy. PennAg Executive Vice President Christian Herr commended Sunoco Pipeline for taking a leadership position on the issue.

This wasn’t the first time that agriculture and energy have partnered. The natural gas industry recognizes how vital Pennsylvania’s farms are. The state’s farmers appreciate the benefits the natural gas industry provides, including low-cost energy and royalty payments. 

And it’s not just economic benefits that make this partnership work. The natural gas sector has given generously to the agricultural community, as Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) Community Outreach Manager Eric Cowden noted in a PennLive op-ed last year.

The MSC supports the Farm Show Scholarship Foundation, which helps develop the next generation of Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. MSC member companies also purchase livestock at the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Junior Livestock Sale, with proceeds paid to the youth responsible for raising the purchased animals.

In these divisive times, the natural gas and agricultural sectors are providing a fine example of how working together can benefit all Pennsylvanians.

Chris Getman

Chris Getman is a public relations, corporate communications and issue advocacy expert with concentrated expertise in the energy industry.