LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Transcription

1 ATLANTIC SUNRISE EXPANSION A QUICK GUIDE TO WRITING GUIDE CONTENTS 1HOW TO WRITE A LETTER Quick Tips on keeping on message and how to be clear in your position. 2SAMPLE LETTER An example of a letter to the editor for you to use as a guide. 3PROJECT FACTS Key numbers and notes about the project for you to use in your letter.

2 1 HOW TO WRITE A LETTER A letter to the Editor is a written way of talking to a local newspaper. Letters to the Editor most often take a position about a community debate or need, and are usually short and to the point. When published, these types of letters can generate plenty of community discussion, since they are not written by journalists, but rather by members of the community. Below are tips to keep in mind when you are writing your own Letter to the Editor. OPEN THE LETTER WITH A SIMPLE GREETING A simple greeting like To the Editor of the Republican Herald or Dear Editor is a fine way to start your letter. If you have the Editor s name, it is most proper to use it, but a simple greeting is usually fine and just as effective. EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU Use plain language that most people will understand, and use a simple tone so you don't lose your reader. In your most concise voice, explain exactly why you feel the Atlantic Sunrise expansion is beneficial to you, your community, and your state. This is your story. MAKE YOUR POSITION CLEAR UP FRONT Your first sentence is important because it grabs the reader s attention and sets the tone of your letter. Make it clear from the start that you support the project. Give a brief and clear explanation of why you support the project in the first paragraph. INCLUDE FACTS TO SUPPORT YOUR POINT Be clear about the facts for why the project is good for your community. Use local statistics and personal stories to illustrate your point. You can visit to see an overview of facts and figures related to the Atlantic Sunrise Expansion Project. KEEP IT BRIEF, KEEP IT SIMPLE We live in an age where there is an almost overwhelming amount of information. Shorter letters usually have a better chance of being published because they can hold the attention of the largest of readers. Letters to the Editor are usually brief and to the point, and typically no more than 300 words. After you finish composing the letter, it is helpful to go back over your letter and see if anything can be cut or condensed. STATE YOUR OPINION ABOUT YOUR DESIRED OUTCOME If you feel strongly enough about an issue to write a letter, you may likely have an outcome that you hope to achieve. This is your opportunity to clearly express that you want to see the project approved.

3 2 SAMPLE LETTER Dear Editor: GREETING YOUR POSITION I am writing today to express my support Atlantic Sunrise and the work being done by Williams in our community. The Atlantic Sunrise project is providing a surge to our economy both locally and on a national scale. It is designed to supply enough natural gas to meet the needs of more than 7 million American homes, and the development is expected to increase economic activity by $1.6 billion in regions where it is taking place. In addition to the work they do directly on the pipeline, Williams is also committed to being a good neighbor. They show a long-term investment in project communities by actively addressing community concerns, exceeding safety standards at every step of the project, and through generous community grants awarded twice a year to benefit local programs that are already in place in the community. CALL TO ACTION SALUTATION I would like to urge our local elected officials and community stakeholders to support the work that Williams is doing in our community. We are fortunate to have an energy company invest in our community from not just an economic development standpoint, but also through investing in our local environment and community organizations. Sincerely, Your Name

4 3 PROJECT FACTS Here are a list of selected facts and stories about Atlantic Sunrise. Feel free to copy and paste anything you read here to add to your points in your letter to the editor. QUICK FACTS ABOUT ATLANTIC SUNRISE Williams, through its Transco network and gathering and processing operations, has a long- standing and significant presence in this particular region. Williams operations in Pennsylvania directly employ about 630 people, whose annual wages (before tax and excluding benefits) average nearly $88,000. This does not take into account those employed by Atlantic Sunrise partner companies, and Williams suppliers and contractors before, during and after project completion. Williams existing Transco pipeline (to which Atlantic Sunrise will connect) provides a third of the gas consumed in Pennsylvania. Since 2010, Williams employees have volunteered countless hours of their time to Pennsylvania organizations, such as the United Way, and the company has provided nearly $3.5 million in charitable contributions to local organizations. This is on top of the millions of dollars in the company has provided in network expansion-related contributions. $1.8MILLION IN DIRECT GRANTS GIVEN $2.5MILLION FOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS 8,000JOBS DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE $1.9MILLION ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT Clean Energy Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel and is helping to lower U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. A growing number of industries are converting to natural gas and contributing toward increased air quality. Reducing Carbon Emissions Pennsylvania s natural gas boom has reduced total CO2 emissions in the commonwealth s power sector by about 30 since about Access to Lower-Cost Energy Characteristics of natural gas -its reliability, affordability, flexibility and efficiency - help make the increased use of renewables (which cost more and are less reliable) a reality. Environmental Siting and Routing Since Atlantic Sunrise was introduced in 2014, Williams adjusted much of the original project route based on feedback from landowners and other stakeholders.

5 PROJECT FACTS MORE JOBS IN THE REGION Researchers at Penn State University forecast Atlantic Sunrise will directly employ approximately 2,300 people in 10 Pennsylvania counties during the project s construction phase, resulting in an estimated $1.6 billion increase economic activity in the project area. The 2,300 employees would stimulate the local and regional economies in the project area and support an additional 6,000 indirect and induced jobs. THE LOCAL ECONOMY An estimated 15 full-time permanent positions will be needed to operate and maintain the pipeline, compressor stations, and related facilities. Atlantic Sunrise supports a segment of the energy industry that has has supported up to 72,000 Pennsylvania jobs and contributed more than $34 billion to the commonwealth s economy. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS Despite a current down cycle, Pennsylvanians have ridden a wave of economic prosperity thanks to the commonwealth s natural gas industry, which has supported up to approximately 100,000 jobs and has contributed billions to Pennsylvania s economy. Atlantic Sunrise is also expected to generate an additional $245 million in labor income in the project area during construction. CLINTON COLUMBIA LANCASTER LEBANON LUZERNE LYCOMING NORTHUMBERLAND SCHUYLKILL SUSQUEHANNA WYOMING OTHER PA COUNTIES PENN TOTAL COUNTY-SPECIFIC BENEFITS WORKFORCE IMPACT (Full-Time) 44 1, ,978 8,122 LABOR INCOME $2.3m $62.4m $54.1m $18.6m $27.7m $13.6m $8.5m $20.8m $13.3 $ $245.28m TOTAL VALUE ADDED $3.0m $85.5m $75.5m $29.6m $41.2m $18.1m $11.9m $29.5m $18.2m $34.6m $511.9m $859.1m In partnership with The Conservation Fund, environmental concerns from the community are being heard. The plan for environmental stewardship calls for 8 aquatic restoration projects, 6 nutrient reduction projects, and 3 trail projects. Combined, these environmental stewardship projects will result in: The restoration of 10 miles of stream frontage The restoration of 30 acres of riparian area The installation of 8 miles of new trails, which will benefit over 200,000 trail users annually The storage of 925 tons of manure PROJECT AREAS COLUMBIA/MONTOUR $146,000 (trail projects) SUSQUEHANNA $275,000 (trail projects) WYOMING $238,903 (nutrient reduction) LANCASTER $1.5 Million (aquatic restoration) NORTHUMBERLAND $165,476 (aquatic restoration) $144,149 (trail projects)

6 PROJECT FACTS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED Despite low commodity prices, the Marcellus Shale remains one of the country s most active production areas, accounting for the majority of the nation s total growth in natural gas production (source: EIA). In fact, the Marcellus produces more natural gas than all of Canada. The biggest problem is the region doesn t have the necessary pipeline network to connect Pennsylvania natural gas with critical markets. It has been estimated that approximately percent of the Marcellus wells drilled to date still do not have pipeline takeaway capacity. Atlantic Sunrise will help change that. Williams existing Transco pipeline (to which Atlantic Sunrise will connect) provides a third of the gas consumed in Pennsylvania. THE NEED FOR ATLANTIC SUNRISE ATLANTIC SUNRISE IN PENNSYLVANIA Natural gas fuels a third of U.S. electric power generation and heats half of the country s homes and those numbers are climbing. But despite historic lows in natural gas prices, America s lack of natural gas pipeline capacity has prevented most consumers from fully realizing the advantages of this abundant, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible resource. Atlantic Sunrise will help solve this problem by adding much needed pipeline capacity. Additionally, Atlantic Sunrise will: Provide reliable, affordable and clean energy to up to 7 million homes Drive $1.6 billion in new wages, revenues and investments in our regional economy In Pennsylvania, Williams has a regional office (Pittsburgh) and field offices in the southwestern and northeastern parts of the commonwealth. Williams owns, operates and maintains thousands of miles of pipeline and several compressor stations throughout the Keystone State. Williams operations in Pennsylvania directly employ about 630 people, whose annual wages (before tax and excluding benefits) average nearly $88,000. This does not take into account those employed by Atlantic Sunrise partner companies, and Williams suppliers and contractors before, during and after project completion. Since 2010, Williams employees have volunteered countless hours of their time to Pennsylvania organizations, such as the United Way, and the company has provided nearly $3.5 million in charitable contributions to local organizations. This is on top of the millions of dollars in the company has provided in network expansion-related contributions.

7 THANK YOU Taking the step to writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper is a very strong and brave action. We thank you and appreciate your time and effort do help spread the word about what kind of benefits that Atlantic Sunrise is already showing in your own words. We have compiled some informational starters here in this guide to get you going on your letter to the editor. Please feel free to copy anything you find in this text that might appeal to your feelings or experiences with Atlantic Sunrise. You can be as detailed as you want, using facts and figures to make your point. Mostly, we encourage you to tell your story through your words so that the public can hear your important message. Your help and consideration allows us to continue to bring positive energy to your community. Questions? Contact Us atlanticsunrise@williams.com