{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-urges-shell-to-move-forward-with-beaver-county-ethane-cracker-plant", "Casey Urges Shell to Move Forward with Beaver County Ethane Cracker Plant", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to Mark Quartermain, President of Shell Energy North America, urging the company to continue to move forward with its plan for an ethane cracker plant in Beaver County. The project has the potential to create a significant number of jobs while continuing the region\u2019s role in producing natural gas and in developing associated industries.\u00a0 In his letter to Shell Energy, Casey cited the region\u2019s highly skilled workforce in pushing for the project. Casey first urged Shell in 2012 to take steps towards building a cracker plant in Beaver County.\r\n\u201cMoving forward with this cracker plant will bring jobs to Southwestern Pennsylvania and continue the region\u2019s nationally recognized role as a leader in natural gas production and in related industries,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThe region is ready for this project and I\u2019m urging Shell to take the next steps in making the cracker plant in Beaver County a reality.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nDecember 9, 2013\r\n\u00a0\r\nMr. Mark Quartermain\r\nPresident\r\nShell Energy North America, L.P.\r\nTwo Houston Center, Plaza Level I   909 Fannin Street   Houston, Texas 77010\r\nDear Mr. Quartermain:\r\nThroughout the last two years, I have encouraged Shell to build an ethane-fed cracker plant in Pennsylvania. As 2013 draws to a close and your company prepares to make its final decision on whether to build a plant in the Appalachian region, I want to remind you that Pennsylvania has everything Shell needs to make this considerable project an enormous success.\r\nThe Commonwealth has an established work force, access to water, communities with a long history of working cooperatively with industry, an extensive rail transportation network and appropriate real estate. Pennsylvania\u2019s outstanding higher education network will advance Shell\u2019s innovation. Further, Shell is uniquely positioned to supply a cracker plant with ethane from its nearby wells, as well as those of other producers.\r\nI am hopeful that Shell will use all that Pennsylvania has to offer to explore natural gas as an energy source and to supply the increasing demand for petrochemical feedstock and products. As you know, the end uses for these substances will help stimulate manufacturing capabilities in numerous categories, including fibers, agricultural chemicals, plastics and automotive products.\r\nPetrochemical plants are not without risks, but I have faith that Shell\u2019s long experience will help it to design and build its facilities to run cleanly, safely and efficiently. I am optimistic that a Shell facility will serve as the foundation of an industrial and manufacturing expansion that will bring thousands of construction and production jobs to Pennsylvania. I encourage you to take this opportunity to build on Pennsylvania\u2019s long manufacturing history and invest in the region.\r\nThank you for interest in investing in Pennsylvania. I look forward to working with you.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-urges-shell-to-move-forward-with-beaver-county-ethane-cracker-plant"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0795393027365208, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}