American Gas Association urges federal policy that supports natural gas infrastructure development
The American Gas Association (AGA), along with a coalition of other organizations representing the natural gas value chain, recently sent a letter to the members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy expressing their support for federal policy that fosters continued natural gas infrastructure development.
In the Feb. 3 letter, the organizations highlighted the benefits of the Natural Gas Act and interstate natural gas infrastructure.
“The Natural Gas Act has provided the framework on which our energy abundance has been able to thrive,” AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert said. “The economic and environmental benefits of natural gas are clear and have allowed Americans to prosper in ways not possible with any other currently available energy source.”
The natural gas industry supports 4.1 million U.S. jobs and has resulted in $121 billion in savings for U.S. businesses since 2009, AGA said. In addition, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas has contributed more than 60 percent of reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from U.S. electricity generation since 2005.
AGA also noted that, according to research from ICF, the United States will require an additional $150 billion investment in 26,000 miles of natural gas transmission infrastructure between 2018 and 2035.
“Congress examines how energy policy can harness America’s energy abundance, support job creation, advance our nation’s geopolitical priorities and meet pressing environmental challenges, we urge policymakers to recognize the contributions made possible by natural gas infrastructure,” the organizations wrote in the letter.
Signees to the letter included AGA, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Public Gas Association, the Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, the Energy Infrastructure Council, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the Natural Gas Supply Association, and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters.
