Monthly Archives: May 2009

Aaron Johnson Networking through associations

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Aaron Johnson | 13 Comments


I’m a big believer in associations. Not only do I work for an association but I’m also a member in different associations. One of these memberships is the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). AABE is dedicated to ensure the input of African-Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies regulations, research and development technologies, and environmental issues.

An Association like AABE allows me to grow both as an individual and as a professional. They offer many benefits that keep me engaged in relevant news to our industry, provide leadership opportunities, and allow me to network with the best and brightest in the energy industry. The networking opportunities are one of the reasons why I choose to be a member.

aabe2 Networking through associations

Officers Roundtable Discussion moderated by Marsha Sampson Johnson, Sr. Vice President Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer, Southern Company.  The panel consisted of Jeff Lyash, Chief Executive Officer and President, Progress Energy; Carl English, Chief Operating Officer, American Electric Power; Doug Foshee, Chief Executive Officer and President, El Paso Corporation; Joe Laymon, Vice President, Human Resources, Chevron CorporationNisource; and Robert Skaggs, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer

Last month, I went to AABE’s 32nd annual conference “Sustainable Energy for a New Economy” that was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. The conference was attended by approximately 350 professionals from energy companies. The event featured energy and environmental discussions, a clean vehicle showcase, an entrepreneurs’ forum, and a job fair. There were also  scholarship and young adult programs. Session topics included: The Obama Economic Stimulus Plan, job creation, climate change and energy conservation.

I was very pleased by the involvement of the utility company executives that attended the conference. One guest panelist included the AGA’s First Vice Chair Bob Skaggs of NiSource, Doug Foshee CEO and President of El Paso Corporation, and David Ratcliffe Chairman, EEI President and CEO of the Southern Company.  Their open dialogue regarding the issues their companies face in today’s challenging economy was very impressive. They expressed their perspectives on issues like diversity within their companies and steps they have taken or plan to take to improve in that area.

Conferences like this allow companies to address and look into more strategic ways to improve their organization when recruiting talent. The conference was a great opportunity to connect with other energy professionals from different aspects of the industry. Organizations allow their employees to attend because of the value it brings to their employees and shows the organization’s supportive role in their career development.

aabe1 Networking through associations

Right after a panel session discussion has finished Robert Skaggs, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Nisource & Jimmy Staton, Executive Vice President & Group CEO, Nisource stop to take a photo with AABE members that participated in the session.

Are you using your association to help find these types of networking opportunities? How do you network?

Posted in events | 13 Comments

Chris McGill Natural gas market indicators

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Chris McGill | 1 Comment


090513ngmi Natural gas market indicators

Recent prices for natural gas have strengthened but it hasn’t occurred in a vacuum. World oil prices have led the way on expectations of global economic improvements in late 2009 and 2010. An overall review of current U.S. gas supply shows a curve that is beginning to indicate a downward trend; however, most of the change has come in the form of import reductions from Canada. Domestic production declines will happen as time passes given reductions in drilling activity and budgets – that is a fact.

What is unknown is how rapidly the large volume market for industrial consumption of natural gas will rebound. With that said, many analysts believe that the market price for natural gas still has room at the bottom to fall given high storage inventories, lackluster demand and a relatively strong supply position compared to potential summer demand.

Visit this link to download the full Natural Gas Market Indicator. Topics covered include: Reported Prices, Weather, Working Gas in Underground Storage, Natural Gas Production, Rig Counts, Pipeline Imports and Exports, and LNG Markets.

Posted in Natural Gas | Tagged | 1 Comment

Kristin Schrader Marcell Obama budget could impact future domestic energy supplies

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Kristin Schrader Marcell | 1 Comment


I’ve been reading quite a few stories in the news recently covering President Obama’s final fiscal 2010 federal budget proposal and the impact that the new taxes and other provisions could have on future domestic energy supplies.

Earlier this year, the American Gas Association (AGA) issued a release on the President’s proposed budget, which details AGA’s concerns about the budget’s potential negative impact on natural gas customers through higher energy prices. It looks like we’re not alone on this.

090511pullquotebudget Obama budget could impact future domestic energy supplies

Here’s a story from the New York Times where John Felmy, chief economist at the American Petroleum Institute, says the impact of the budget on the industry will be to raise taxes on producers. The concern then being that most of this impact will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher fuel costs.

The Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States believes that the budget tax increases are most harmful to small American energy companies that produce the clean, affordable and abundant American natural gas that we need to increase energy security, make renewable energy sources viable, and address climate change.

In another story from the Oil and Gas Journal, Barry Russell, the president of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, says that the budget “does not recognize that in order to decrease our reliance on foreign oil, we need to increase our own American supplies of natural gas and oil.”

These are just a few of the articles I came across. Many are concerned that the President’s budget would make it harder to develop America’s domestic natural resources by repealing existing tax provisions that encourage American production, as well as creating new excise taxes on offshore production and new user fees that will add to the overly complex and costly permit process.

By discouraging the production of America’s cleanest-burning, domestically abundant fossil fuel, this budget could ultimately tighten domestic supplies of natural gas; therefore, causing financial burden on consumers through higher energy prices, higher monthly natural gas bills, and higher unemployment through the loss of well-paying American jobs.

After reading those articles, are you concerned?

Posted in energy, Natural Gas | Tagged | 1 Comment

Kristin Schrader Marcell Waxman-Markey: Tweak It Or Overhaul It?

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Kristin Schrader Marcell | Comments Off


nationaljournalblog2 Waxman Markey: Tweak It Or Overhaul It?
Recently, Dave Parker participated in the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to respond to their question, “Waxman-Markey: Tweak It Or Overhaul It?” Please take a moment to visit the National Journal Energy Experts blog to see his response as well as the comments from others in this respected group.

Posted in energy | Tagged | Comments Off