State Representatives Kathy Rapp and state Sen. Scott Hutchison deliver a presentation on energy opportunities for Northwest Pennsylvania during a breakfast event hosted by Warren Forest Hi-ED on Friday.

State Sen. Scott Hutchison and state House Rep. Kathy Rapp attended a breakfast hosted by Warren Forest Hi-ED.

The event drew attendees from the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Warren City employees, including the chiefs of police and fire, and other public servants.

The presentation centered on utilizing Northwest Pennsylvania’s natural gas resources to increase electric production and reduce the risk of brownouts and blackouts. The discussion highlighted the potential for local energy development to improve grid reliability and support economic growth.

Rapp emphasized the widespread role of fossil fuels in everyday life, stating, “The thing about oil and gas is almost every product we use, from your appliances, to this microphone, to your glass ring, to your fingernail polish, to your cosmetics. It’s all oil and gas–your water bottle, your plastic cup. So, you know, if you don’t like fossil fuels, maybe you shouldn’t use those products. But that is the driver of our economy, is fossil fuels.”

Hutchison addressed concerns about Pennsylvania’s competitiveness in attracting businesses, particularly data centers.

“They’re looking at Pittsburgh as a data center, but because of the permitting, the regulations in Pennsylvania, mostly from the Department of Environmental Protection, they are very fearful that we will lose that data center to Ohio or one of the other neighboring states,” he said. “Those data centers mean jobs, maybe not anymore, but for the state of Pennsylvania.”