WHEREAS, On April 18, 2013, Council unanimously adopted a City Council Resolution (No. 130293) calling upon the Administration to take action to fully explore natural gas development opportunities, including LNG export licenses and permits, to stimulate the local economy thereby creating family sustaining jobs and revenue for the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, To date, an LNG export license has not been pursued, and it is not clear if obtaining an LNG export license for Philadelphia is realistic; and
WHEREAS, In January 2015, City Council established a Special Committee on Energy Opportunities to explore all available opportunities to establish the Philadelphia region as a vibrant energy hub. As a supplement, the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy is following up on Resolution No. 130293 to ascertain LNG export opportunities for Philadelphia, including companies and investors in the United States and abroad; and
WHEREAS, The natural gas industry in Pennsylvania is experiencing strong growth due to the significant development of Marcellus Shale over the past six years; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Marcellus became the most productive shale gas play in the United States and has transformed the Commonwealth from an importer of natural gas to net exporter for the first time in over 100 years; and
WHEREAS, Due to the growing global demand for national gas, LNG's share of the world's gas supply is projected to rise significantly; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is well positioned to take advantage of and expand to new international markets for natural gas by leveraging the City's infrastructure, capabilities in manufacturing, and specialized talent in research, engineering, and technology; and
WHEREAS, The prospect for Philadelphia to be engaged in LNG exports will be a game changer for the City's economic future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings concerning Liquefied National Gas (LNG) export opportunities for Philadelphia.
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