By Chris Woodward
The Center Square

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is excited about the future, thanks to a deal between state utilities and Transwestern Pipeline Co.

The company will build a new interstate natural gas pipeline from west Texas into Arizona.

Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber, told The Center Square that Arizona’s economy will benefit in areas such as construction and labor costs.

“More importantly, more natural gas coming into our state for generation purposes is a huge win for a state that is growing like ours,” said Seiden.

Gas is less expensive than alternative forms of energy, according to Seiden. He said it will allow Arizonans to keep air conditioners running for less money and noted manufacturers will keep making goods at a cheaper price.

Still, environmental groups are not happy with pipelines of any kind. The Sierra Club, for example, envisions “a future that is no longer dependent on polluting fossil fuels.” To do that, the organization states on its website that “we must stop the expansion of fracked methane gas and dirty oil,” which are transported via pipelines.

“Building and expanding pipelines will further lock us into a future powered by fossil fuels, instead of the clean energy that is readily available now,” said the Sierra Club.

But Seiden told The Center Square that Arizona is a model state when it comes to balancing environmental impacts with economic growth.

“We’ve always been good stewards of our land,” said Seiden. “Even our most far-right conservative elected officials that come out Arizona, one thing they all have in common is they love to be able to use state lands. They love to get out there and camp. They want to be able to get out there for state parks, so all of that is taken very seriously when you look at projects like this.”

In May, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Arizona, where he praised “local businesses and community leaders dedicated to providing clean air and economic opportunity” for the state.

Seiden was at the event. So was U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona.

“Arizonans deserve clean air, but we need the right tools to address pollution without compromising economic growth,” said Kelly. “I appreciate Administrator Zeldin’s commitment to hearing directly from local leaders and finding solutions that give Arizona the resources and flexibility to improve air quality while continuing to create jobs and expand manufacturing.”

That is more reason for Transwestern’s new interstate natural gas pipeline, Seiden told The Center Square.

“Natural gas is a cleaner emission than other forms of energy generation,” said Seiden. “Wind and solar technology are not there yet. That’s super expensive and would cause things like rolling blackouts, so, again, gas is reliable, it is healthier, it’s cheaper, and it’s a good bridge until the technology is ready on solar, which we’re continuing to invest in.”

In addition to the Arizona Chamber, other special interest groups that support the pipeline include Arizona Farm and Ranch Group, the Arizona Restaurant Association, the Arizona Manufacturers Council and the Arizona Small Business Association.