Construction Group Applauds Stimulus Spending

Stimulus' $135 billion for infrastructure and construction will save or create almost 2 million jobs, according to AGC analysis

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 19, 2009 -- The over $135 billion in construction and infrastructure investments included in stimulus legislation being signed into law today by President Barack Obama will create or save nearly 2 million jobs over the next two years, the Associated General Contractors of America concluded in its final analysis of the legislation.

The analysis, conducted by the association's chief economist, Ken Simonson, concluded that the infrastructure and construction funding would create or save 650,000 construction jobs and 300,000 positions in related fields such as equipment and material supply. An additional 970,000 jobs in the broader economy would also be created or supported by the investments.

"There's no doubt the stimulus will have a positive impact for construction businesses and their workers across the country," said Stephen Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). "When you get beyond the politics and the policy, the fact remains these investments will put people to work, save businesses, and help rebuild aging infrastructure."


In addition to estimating the number of jobs to be created by the construction funding, the association also calculated the benefits to personal earnings and gross national product (GDP). Association economist Ken Simonson noted that the $135 billion for construction would increase personal earnings nationwide by $75 billion and add $230 billion to GDP.

"Whether or not you wear a hard hat for a living, these construction investments will make a difference for the better," said Simonson. "Beyond the immediate benefits, the new infrastructure projects will make businesses more efficient, commuting more reliable and our economy more prosperous for years to come."

Simonson said the new analysis is based on research on the economic benefits of infrastructure investments conducted by the association in cooperation with Professor Stephen Fuller of George Mason University.

Source: AGC Release

Read More...

Summary only...

New Pipeline Planned From Carthage To Delhi, La.

Energy Transfer Partners announces plans to construct Haynesville Pipeline.

DALLAS, TX., Jan. 27, 2009 —- Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.NYSE:ETP) announced it has entered into an agreement with Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), to construct a 178-mile 42” interstate natural gas pipeline (“Tiger Pipeline”).

The project will connect to ETP’s dual 42” pipeline system near Carthage, Texas, extend through the heart of the Haynesville Shale and end near Delhi, Louisiana, with interconnects to at least seven interstate pipelines at various points in Louisiana.

The Tiger Pipeline is anticipated to have an initial throughput capacity of at least 1.25 Bcf per day, which capacity may be increased up to 2.0 Bcf per day based on the results of an open season. The agreement with Chesapeake provides for a 15-year commitment for firm transportation capacity of approximately 1.0 Bcf per day.

The pipeline project is anticipated to cost between $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion to construct, depending upon the final throughput capacity design, with such costs to be incurred over a three-year period. Pending necessary regulatory approvals, Tiger Pipeline is expected to be in service by mid-2011.

“Energy Transfer Partners continues to implement its growth strategy of providing pipeline capacity through significant producing basins across the country. Critical infrastructure is needed to relieve growing constraints near the Carthage Hub and to provide takeaway capacity from the Haynesville Shale. The Tiger Pipeline project is another example of how our Partnership works with successful producers like Chesapeake to consummate pipeline opportunities,” said Mackie McCrea, President and Chief Operating Officer of ETP. “This project will contribute to our ability to generate sustainable long term distributions for our unitholders.”

“Chesapeake believes the Haynesville Shale has the potential to become the largest producing field in the country,” commented Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer. “Significant capacity must be built to insure the deliverability of natural gas from this rapidly expanding area and we are pleased to be able to support ETP in this very important project.”

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) is a publicly traded partnership owning and operating a diversified portfolio of energy assets. ETP has pipeline operations in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah, and owns the largest intrastate pipeline system in Texas.

ETP’s natural gas operations include intrastate natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines, natural gas treating and processing assets and three natural gas storage facilities located in Texas. These assets include approximately 14,550 miles of intrastate pipeline in service, with approximately 250 miles of intrastate pipeline under construction. In addition, ETP owns 2,450 miles of interstate pipeline in service, with approximately 250 miles of interstate pipeline under construction. ETP is also one of the three largest retail marketers of propane in the United States, serving more than one million customers across the country.

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) is a publicly traded partnership, which owns the general partner of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and approximately 62.5 million ETP limited partner units.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on exploratory and developmental drilling and corporate and property acquisitions in the Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale, Fayetteville Shale, Marcellus Shale, Anadarko Basin, Arkoma Basin, Appalachian Basin, Permian Basin, Delaware Basin, South Texas, Texas Gulf Coast and East Texas regions of the United States.

Further information is available at www.chk.com.

Read More...

Summary only...