Enhancing energy infrastructure is good for NC

North Carolina’s population is rapidly growing. The state boasts the fifth-highest rate of population growth in the country, with projections showing it will be the seventh-most populous state by 2030. This is due in part to growth in the Piedmont Triad region, which has seen substantial economic investment from the automotive, hospitality, and aerospace industries.

With that growth comes an increased need for reliable, affordable energy. Natural gas is the safest, most-reliable, and most cost-effective solution. At Williams, experience powers us! With over 75 years of on-the-ground experience in North Carolina, we are proposing to increase access to energy with the Southeast Supply Enhancement project (SSE).

According to the Department of Transportation, natural gas is the safest and most efficient form of energy transportation. That’s not just a talking point: Natural gas is transported safely underground in North Carolina every day, safely powering the region’s energy needs. As the demand for natural gas skyrockets — growing by 47% in a little over a decade, while infrastructure has only grown 26% — expanding access is essential to our communities.

What does that look like in practical terms? Without energy infrastructure, businesses can’t open new locations, developers can’t build new homes, and cities can’t power the essential services (like streaming video) that residents demand. In total, Williams’ investment in North Carolina will increase capacity by 1.6 million dekatherms per day — that’s equivalent to supplying nearly 10 million homes.

This expansion will also boost the local economy, with a projected creation of an additional 3,000 direct and indirect jobs in the community.

Our elected leaders recognize this. That is why the Southeast Supply Enhancement project has broad political support in North Carolina. Dozens of local, state, and federally elected officials from Virginia to Georgia have recognized the benefits of this critical project and written to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to express their support.

The project has attracted the usual critics from Washington, DC-based activist groups, who have been fearmongering over energy infrastructure for years, raising the same faulty points that have been repeatedly discredited by real-world experience.

In recent years, Williams has expanded its energy infrastructure to serve communities with the natural gas they need. Those expansions were completed without incident, with due concern for landowner impacts, and while addressing any landscaping or erosion control issues. As we speak, natural gas is moving underground under those projects as vital arteries safely transporting energy.

The public is on our side: Eighty percent of Triad and southern Virginia residents agree that enhancing our natural gas infrastructure is essential. A strong majority also agrees with the Department of Transportation that natural gas pipelines are safe and do not harm the environment.

Natural gas is also the best for your pocketbook. According to the American Gas Association, low domestic natural gas prices have saved American families almost $150 billion over the past decade.

Williams is a committed community partner. We realize the Southeast Supply Enhancement project is not just about energy; it’s about improving the quality of life for families, creating jobs, and powering the future of our region. This project is designed to deliver a reliable, cost-effective energy solution that benefits everyone.

To learn more about the Southeast Supply Enhancement project, visit Williams’ project page.

“Enhancing energy infrastructure is good for NC” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.