Author Archives: Kristin Schrader Marcell

Kristin Schrader Marcell House Hurdles: Which Will Be Hardest for Climate Bill?

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Kristin Schrader Marcell | Comments Off


Recently Dave Parker participated in the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to respond to their question, “House Hurdles: Which Will Be Hardest for Climate Bill?” Please take a moment to read his response posted below or visit the National Journal Energy Experts blog to view the comments from others in this respected group.

The American Gas Association (AGA) agrees that while the House Energy and Commerce Committee vote was an important first step in trying to pass climate change legislation, there are several significant obstacles to overcome before a bill will get to President Obama’s desk for signature.  No matter how daunting the challenge, however, AGA is committed to working with Congress and the administration on this critical national issue.

We strongly believe that both natural gas utilities and their customers can and should contribute to improving the nation’s energy efficiency in order to meet the nation’s goals of optimizing our resources, maximizing our energy security, increasing conservation and reducing carbon emissions.  In fact, if you look at our member’s track record when it comes to energy efficiency, you will find that the number of natural gas customers has increased more than 70% (38 million homes in 1970 to 65 million in 2005) since 1970, yet total residential natural gas consumption has remained about the same as it was in 1970.  By insulating their windows and doors, by using energy-efficient appliances, and by conservation methods as simple as turning down the thermostat, natural gas residential and commercial customers have reduced their average natural gas consumption by about 1 percent annually since 1980-this rate of decline has accelerated to about 2 percent annually since 2000.

As the cleanest fossil fuel, emitting only one carbon atom when burned, natural gas can play a major part in significantly reducing carbon emissions. We look forward to working with Congress to craft sound policies that encourage the increased use of clean, abundant, domestic natural gas, which will improve our environment, enhance energy security and save American consumers money.

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Kristin Schrader Marcell Full-Fuel-Cycle Measurement is the Way to Go

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Kristin Schrader Marcell | 1 Comment


Last week Laura Sheehan contributed to The Hill’s Blog to discuss the recent study released by the National Academies that recommends that the U.S. Department of Energy consider changing its system of setting appliance energy-efficiency standards to a full-fuel-cycle measurement. Please take a moment to read her blog posted below or visit The Hill’s Blog to view the comments from others on this topic.

Full-Fuel-Cycle Measurement is the Way to Go

May 28th, 2009

The highly regarded National Academies came out with a report yesterday (commissioned by Congress) confirming what the American Gas Association (AGA) has long been heralding about energy efficiency measurements in appliances-that the Department of Energy should measure efficiency in appliances from the point of production (think the natural gas wellhead) and not just “on-site” (think the natural gas burner tip in your kitchen). This more complete and more accurate energy efficiency measurement, called a full-fuel-cycle measurement, takes into account the considerable amount of energy lost in producing, generating and transporting energy to the end use.

In that vein, the study supports the “carbon footprint labeling” provisions that were recently included in the Waxman-Markey climate change legislation, which would expand the existing Federal Trade Commission EnergyGuide labeling program for appliances to include carbon footprint information.

So why do we need this more expansive measurement for our appliances? The answer is so that we as consumers can be fully aware of the energy efficiency of the appliances we’re purchasing for our homes and businesses. For example, 70 percent of the total amount of fuels used in producing, generating and transmitting electricity is lost by the time that electricity reaches a customer. By contrast, producing and delivering natural gas directly only loses about 10 percent of its usable energy. The study issued by the Academies says consumers should be informed, ahead of time, of the full energy efficiency of their appliances. AGA agrees.

As a consumer, would it be helpful for you to know this kind of background information on appliances before you make a large purchase? Let us know what you think.

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Kristin Schrader Marcell Waxman-Markey legislation

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Kristin Schrader Marcell | Comments Off


Yesterday the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade climate change bill, H.R. 2454, “the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009″, by a vote of 33-25.

AGA noted the important step the House Energy and Commerce Committee took last night in reporting this climate change legislation and is looking forward to working with Congress as it considers this issue throughout the summer.

It is important to AGA that Congress pass legislation that will strive to improve our environment and energy security, while also encouraging the increased use of clean, abundant, domestic natural gas. As the cleanest fossil fuel, emitting only one carbon atom when burned, natural gas can play a major part in quickly reducing carbon emissions.

Since the House Energy and Commerce Committee action was covered extensively in the media, there are quite a few stories in the news today. Here are a few articles that I came across this morning:

The Washington Post reported the committee markup this week as, “a week of late-night debates that cemented the shift of climate change from rhetorical jousting to a subject of serious, if messy, Washington policymaking. ”

Here’s a story where the New York Times discusses the supporters and opponents of the cap-and-trade legislation. While some eagerly supported the bill, others were concerned that it was a burdensome tax on business that would drive companies and jobs overseas while doing little to address climate change.

The Wall Street Journal says that the Waxman-Markey legislation, “still faces significant hurdles, particularly in the Senate, where a similar proposal failed last year. But the committee’s action gives the measure a major boost in both chambers of Congress, because the panel is among the largest and most ideologically and geographically diverse in Congress, with members from Rust Belt, oil patch, farm and coastal states.”

After the Memorial Day congressional recess, several other House and Senate committees will address various aspects of the bill so the debate on this issue will likely continue throughout this summer.

What do you think about the Waxman-Markey legislation?

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Kristin Schrader Marcell National Journal: Anything Matter More Than Jobs?

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Kristin Schrader Marcell | 3 Comments


Yesterday Dave Parker participated in the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to respond to their question, “Anything Matter More Than Jobs?” Please take a moment to read his response posted below or visit the National Journal Energy Experts blog to view the comments from others in this respected group.

The American Gas Association (AGA) supports President Obama’s and Congress’ energy and environmental policy priorities that aim to further develop renewable energies. However, we need to recognize that it will be years before these alternative fuels will be available in quantities to replace existing fuels that are so important in sustaining our economy. Therefore, more attention should be placed on our energy security by encouraging more American fuel source development. As the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas is being looked to with more frequency to generate electricity, putting upward pressure on its price and making it less affordable for residential customers who rely on it to meet essential human needs (98% of natural gas is produced in North America).  In the future, when renewables are able to take on more of that electricity generation, it will dampen demand for natural gas in that market and in turn make it more affordable for our customers to heat their homes, cook their meals and ensure hot water comes out of the tap.

While renewable energy initiatives are one part of a complex combination of future energy solutions, the timetables being discussed for substantially increasing the use of renewables for electricity generation are optimistic at best, meaning natural gas will remain the fuel of choice in the electricity generation market.

090514pullquotejournal National Journal: Anything Matter More Than Jobs?

The good news is that natural gas is already here and it is efficient, clean burning and found in abundance throughout North America.

Natural gas currently comprises almost one-fourth of all energy used in the United States and is directly linked to the economic well-being of the nation. In fact, there are currently at least 5.8 million Americans who are employed either directly or indirectly by the natural gas and oil industries. Of those 5.8 million Americans, there are 1.8 million people who are employed directly by the companies that produce, ship and supply natural gas and oil to American consumers, with another 4 million Americans employed in supporting positions indirectly created by the development of America’s domestic energy.

Since America’s natural gas and oil workers earned an individual average of more than $66,000 in 2004, which is $20,000 more than the combined household income for the average American family, these higher paying jobs also help employ other Americans in a variety of businesses – including automobile manufacturing, housing construction, retail sales and more.

In the current financial and economic crisis, natural gas has a great opportunity to help revitalize our economy, to help fight climate change and to help enhance America’s energy security – all at the same time.

Posted in energy | Tagged | 3 Comments