Michigan Needs Pipeline Projects Like Rover

Michigan Needs Pipeline Projects Like Rover

By Michigan Forest Products Council

Michigan has the opportunity to support a project that offers a promising opportunity for landowners, an important boost to our infrastructure, and an investment from a company committed to working with landowners and protecting Michigan's environment and natural resources.

The Michigan Forest Products Council (MFPC) works to promote, protect and sustain Michigan's vibrant forest industry along with the interest of property owners. Michigan's 19.3 million acres of forest lands supports approximately 150,000 jobs and contributes $14.6 billion in economic activity.

Reducing energy costs for Michigan is important for ensuring a stable economy, particularly to the energy-intensive agriculture sector in which our members operate. They need a reliable, affordable supply of natural gas to sustain growth.

One such project that will contribute to this supply is the Rover Pipeline, which will transport natural gas from locations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio to communities in Michigan and the Midwest. It will also connect to distribution centers in Canada, servicing consumers across the Great Lakes region.

The project, estimated to create nearly $1 billion in direct spending, will see 76 percent of components built in the United States, and ensure Michigan manufacturers will have ample access to energy. It will also generate new tax revenues for Michigan, as much as $32 million in state property and sales tax revenue.

As an industry that relies on agriculture and the integrity of our lands, we have met repeatedly with the Rover Pipeline team and we are confident that the pipeline will be built to the most stringent environmental standards following guidelines set by state and federal regulatory agencies.

Further, underground pipelines are the safest mode of transporting natural gas, and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that underground pipelines transport natural gas far more safely than ships, railcars, or trucks. As the first major interstate pipeline of its kind, Rover will employ the most advanced technology and monitoring systems to make it even safer with 24/7 safety measures, regulatory oversight, and regular pipeline maintenance plans.

We have been impressed by Energy Transfer’s commitment to responsible construction practices and their decision to utilize experienced local labor and construction workers. The workforce selected by the Rover team have shown themselves more than capable of exceeding any environmental and safety concerns.

Rover has partnered with experienced land consultants to ensure that landowners and the greater environment are protected to greatest extent possible. Rover Pipeline has vowed to restore the land to preconstruction elevations and contours, protect the vital top soil, and repair and replace any impacts to drain tiles or drainage systems traversed by the pipeline.

Approving and building new pipeline infrastructure in Michigan is important for our businesses, our manufacturing, our farming, and as a means of meeting our growing energy needs. To keep our power grid and pipeline systems working well into the future, Michigan needs continued investment in projects like the Rover Pipeline.