For hundreds of shipyard workers, business leaders, and elected officials in Pennsylvania, today was a big day.
They celebrated the new jobs and economic investment that will result from ExxonMobil-affiliate SeaRiver Maritime Inc.’s agreement with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard to build two new Liberty Class tankers.
The construction of the tankers, valued at $400 million, will create more than 1,000 direct jobs during a two-year construction period. Once completed, the double hull vessels will be used to transport Alaska North Slope crude oil to U.S. West Coast destinations.
As ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Andy Swiger said at today’s ceremony, “What we celebrate today is a reminder of what America’s energy industry can do and is doing – investing in our country.”
Andy’s words couldn’t be more relevant at a time when the United States continues to face challenges in creating jobs and jump-starting investment in many parts of the country.
What’s happening in Pennsylvania, however, is an example of the economic good that can come from investments in domestic energy supplies.
This new shipbuilding project alone will “support jobs for the shipyard workforce, for the steel industry, and for countless material, equipment and service providers across the commonwealth and beyond,” said Will Jenkins, president of SeaRiver.
The oil and gas industry is also supporting thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania through shale gas development and production. In fact, shale gas development has already contributed to a 130 percent rise in jobs in Pennsylvania’s “core” oil and gas industries over the past 10 years.
This type of growth can be replicated throughout the country, but it takes the right policies to do so. Fair and stable legal, tax and regulatory structures are essential to attracting this kind of investment and job creation.
I have to agree with Andy when he said that America’s oil and natural gas industry can do even more. With the right policies in place, “America’s energy industry can invest for the long-term, and with every project success, we can build stronger communities and provide new sources of revenue to state and local governments.”
You can read Andy’s speech at exxonmobil.com or read more about the new tankers in the press release.
I live in PA and of course I am for the creation of jobs. But do we have to be so shortsighted? Why can’t we make ‘permanent’ jobs that focus on renewable energy? Are we all so ignorant to the simple facts that oil, natural gas, coal, and non-silicate minerals are non-renewable and will only end in the loss of jobs? The pollution and environmental degradation caused by the use of non-renewable resources, from the mining all the way to the landfill are a waste and everyone knows that any jobs created are only temporary. We only have 40 years left of oil. Tar sands, shales, even natural gas are pointless and those jobs will only last a short whlie. A good example of this are the ghost towns that thrived on coal mines. The same will happen. I’m so glad everyone on this web site cares about their children. Nature can not be fooled.
Ken; Here in Marinette, Wisconsin we are building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard and also buidling ships for the college and universities via research ships. Maybe Exxon Mobil would be interested in securing a contract with MMC or Marinette Marine Corporation/Research Ships?
Yes the Contract with the Navy could be well over 1.7 billion dollars via the New Modern Littorial Combat Ships and also the Research Ships for two Universities with Locheed partnering on the Navy Ships. 2,000+ people employed not counting 100′s of vendor contracts!!!