One of the country’s largest natural gas delivery systems, the 1,679-mile pipeline provides direct delivery of natural gas from the Rocky Mountain region to the Midwest and eastern United States , ending in eastern Ohio . During the meeting, the Governor commended REX for creating new energy infrastructure to transport domestic natural gas quickly and efficiently across much of the country. The project also provided significant economic benefits to affected areas during construction, creating jobs and providing revenue for local businesses along the route.
The Governor also noted the critical role that Colorado continues to play in Kinder Morgan’s operations. With its origination point in Rio Blanco County , REX operates four compressor stations in Colorado : Meeker, Big Hole, Cheyenne , and Julesburg. The compressor stations provide the pressure and necessary controls to move the natural gas along the pipeline route. So far, the pipeline has exported 1.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to the market.
“The completion of the Rockies Express natural gas pipeline was a vital development in the evolution of our New Energy Economy,” said Gov. Ritter. “ Colorado is fortunate to have a robust natural gas industry that will continue to play a critical role in Colorado ’s and the nation’s energy future. I would like to thank Kinder Morgan for its efforts to build and maintain the pipeline, and for its employment of our homegrown workforce.”
“We appreciate the support we have received from the State of Colorado both during and post construction,” said Mark Kissel, President of West Region Natural Gas Pipelines for Kinder Morgan. “On behalf of Kinder Morgan and the REX project, I would like to share our gratitude with Governor Ritter, state and local leaders, as well as the local employees who made this project a reality.”
At peak construction, the REX project employed more than 25,000 workers across the pipeline route. 365 full time workers are currently employed in the operation and maintenance of Kinder Morgan assets in Colorado , including offices in Lakewood , Colorado . REX is one of the largest natural gas pipelines ever constructed in North America .
The text of the proclamation follows:
ROCKIES EXPRESS PIPELINE DAY
August 5, 2010
WHEREAS, for a number of years, Kinder Morgan has created jobs within their Colorado-based assets, including at its company headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado and through its in-service of the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) project; and
WHEREAS, REX is one of the largest energy infrastructure developments constructed in the United States in the past 25 years, spanning 1,679 miles between Rio Blanco County, Colorado and Ohio; and
WHEREAS, REX helped develop and enhance our nation’s energy infrastructure, providing states with a domestic, clean, and more reliable source of energy; and
WHEREAS, REX utilized nearly one thousand highly skilled Colorado workers during construction; and
WHEREAS, REX provided numerous economic benefits for towns across both Colorado and the country, increasing revenue to local communities from patronage by construction crews; and
WHEREAS, Colorado is home to four compressor stations that provide permanent jobs and revenue for local residents and businesses, and are significant components of the distribution of natural gas across the West; and
WHEREAS, the State of Colorado recognizes and thanks Kinder Morgan for its efforts to provide our state with access to clean-burning natural gas markets, provide a stimulus to our economy through the creation of new jobs for Coloradans, and its contributions to our state’s internationally-respected New Energy Economy;
Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado , do hereby proclaim August 5, 2010,
ROCKIES EXPRESS PIPELINE DAY in the State of Colorado.
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado , this fifth day of August, 2010
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
