Pipelines are the safest, most environmentally responsible method of transporting oil and natural gas. With over 2.5 million miles of pipeline crisscrossing the United States and roughly 466,000 miles of pipeline throughout the state of Texas, pipelines play a crucial role in ensuring safe, efficient delivery of the energy we use every day.

Below are six reasons to support pipelines in Texas:

1. MORE TEXAS JOBS

More pipelines = more jobs. Additional pipeline development is estimated to support 171,000 Texas jobs annually. Every mile of oil pipeline construction creates approximately 24 jobs, and every mile of natural gas pipeline construction creates approximately 58 jobs.

2. A STRONGER ECONOMY

Pipelines generate jobs and increase state and local government revenues. Between 2014-2024, the Texas pipeline industry is expected to contribute $374 billion in total economic output.

3. SAFER ROADS

By replacing trucks transporting oil and natural gas, additional pipelines help to reduce traffic emissions, decrease wear on roads and alleviate traffic congestion.

4. INCREASED ENERGY SECURITY

During disaster situations when roads might be unusable or unsafe, pipelines can deliver vital, and sometimes life-saving, fuel to first responders and impacted communities, helping to improve safety.

5. MORE TEXAS ENERGY PRODUCTION

With oil production from the Permian alone expected to account for about 33 percent of the nation’s total output, new pipeline capacity is critical to make sure these resources reach consumers around the country.

6. MORE EXPORTS, LOWER TRADE DEFICIT

Crude oil exports are poised to double by 2020 as more pipelines come online and Permian pipeline constraints are alleviated. We need more pipelines and infrastructure to move the record-high oil and natural gas output in the Permian Basin to facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast for export overseas markets.

Texas recently opened its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal, with several expected to come online in the Lone Star State over the next few years. Add this to the number of crude oil export terminals planned for the Texas Gulf Coast, and it’s obvious new pipelines will be needed to supply these facilities with reliable oil and gas for shipment around the world.