Monthly Archives: December 2013

This week, AGA President and CEO Dave McCurdy participated in the National Journal’s Energy Insiders blog to respond to their question, “How Best Can We Use Natural Gas? Should We At All?” His response is posted below and you can also visit the National Journal Energy Insiders blog to view the entire comments thread.

“The United States has an incredible opportunity because of our abundance of clean natural gas. When used effectively and appropriately, natural gas can meet our national goals of boosting our economy, improving our environment and increasing our energy security. To do this, we need policies at every level of government that are in line with the savings and environmental benefits currently being achieved throughout the country.

Direct use – using appliances in your home that run on natural gas – is the most efficient way to use this domestic resource and it saves consumers money. A typical new home with natural gas saves between $500 and $1,300 annually compared with other fuel sources. Using natural gas as a transportation fuel costs drivers half as much on average as gasoline or diesel. Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle and leaders in every sector of our economy are investing in natural gas – not because they are required to, but because it offers real savings, real stimulus and real solutions.

Bolstered by affordable and stable prices, communities are seeking greater access to natural gas for use in homes, businesses and vehicles, and this clean energy source is driving a renaissance in manufacturing. We envision a future where natural gas not only provides energy for homes and businesses, but runs a significant number of our vehicles, generates power and supports other forms of renewable energy. North America’s robust natural gas resources are positioned to satisfy significant new natural gas demand at affordable and competitive prices well into the future.

From production to your home or business, the natural gas delivery system is 92 percent efficient and deemed the safest energy delivery system in the nation. A concerted effort by America’s natural gas utilities and others is making it safer and cleaner. Our nation’s energy future will be built on the foundation of the more than 2 million miles of natural gas pipelines operated by America’s natural gas utilities – a 21st century infrastructure capable of providing safe and reliable service to our customers today and serving the nation’s energy needs tomorrow.”

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris helped four utility members of the American Gas Association located in Western Pennsylvania kick off the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2013-2014 winter heating season.

The “Partners for Warmth” — comprised of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Equitable Gas Company, Peoples Natural Gas, and Peoples TWP — have been helping low-income customers in the Pittsburgh area afford their winter heating bills for more than two decades. Nearly 510,000 residents, half of which were households with children, kept their heat on last winter thanks to this unique partnership. Approximately $141 million in LIHEAP funds are available again this year, but Partners for Warmth officials are urging area customers to apply as soon as possible.

“We all know a friend, neighbor or family member who may have fallen on tough times. Anyone who is having trouble paying their heating bills should find out if they are eligible for LIHEAP assistance and apply as soon as possible,” said Harris, honorary chairman of the partnership.

LIHEAP is a block grant program under which the federal government gives states annual funds to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households that struggle to heat their homes in the winter and cool them during the hot summer months. To date, approximately $2.9 billion of FY 2014 block grant funding has been released to LIHEAP grantees, representing about 90 percent of the FY 2013 funding. AGA continues to advocate for responsible funding levels and greater certainty surrounding funding release and distribution.

Eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP change, and customers who may not have been eligible in the past are encouraged to reapply. For the 2013-2014 winter heating season, the income eligibility limit is 150 percent of federal poverty income guidelines. For more information about eligibility, click here. To learn about Partners for Warmth, visit www.partnersforwarmth.org, and for additional details about LIHEAP funding and how to apply, visit www.liheap.org.