Author Archives: Melanie Lyons

Melanie Lyons Worried about the tax provisions in President Obama’s Budget

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Melanie Lyons | Comments Off


We just sent out a news release late yesterday on President Obama’s budget. AGA is worried that by changing the tax laws that address intangible drilling costs, geological and geophysical expenses, the depletion allowance and the manufacturing deduction, the budget will discourage independent energy producers from discovering and producing natural gas. Those types of changes would discourage independent energy producers from discovering and producing natural gas, thus shrinking supply and increasing cost.

Dave Parker had some good thoughts on the matter.

“Right now, natural gas utilities are able to deliver clean, domestic natural gas to customers at reasonable prices,” Parker said.  “With the economy in the doldrums, now is not the time to increase the price of natural gas to consumers.”

You can read the full release here. Are you worried these changes are going to lead to higher bills? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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Melanie Lyons AGA’s Chairman Tom Skains addresses North Carolina financial communities

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Melanie Lyons | Comments Off


090226skains01 AGAs Chairman Tom Skains addresses North Carolina financial communities

Tom Skains addresses CFA Society members in Charlotte, NC

Tom Skains, chairman of the AGA and chairman, president and CEO of Piedmont Natural Gas Company, addressed both the Charlotte and Raleigh financial communities this week.  He told attendees that in the current financial and economic crisis, natural gas has the opportunity to help revitalize our economy, fight global climate change, and secure America’s energy future.

In Charlotte, Skains spoke to an audience of over 90 members of the CFA N.C. Society, an association of investment professionals.  He spoke to the group about the benefits of investing in natural gas – the cleanest of all fossil fuels — saying, “Our industry believes that in the current financial and economic crisis natural gas has a great opportunity to help revitalize our economy, to help fight global climate change, and to help enhance America’s energy security.”  Skains concluded by telling the group that he also believes that in the current economic situation, natural gas utilities continue to be an attractive and wise investment opportunity.

090226skains02 AGAs Chairman Tom Skains addresses North Carolina financial communities

AGA’s Chairman Tom Skains speaks with reporters after the event.

The event was attended by the local papers and received coverage this morning in the Charlotte Observer.  Skains and AGA staff also met with the editorial page board of the Charlotte Observer.  Skains will address the Raleigh CFA Society at noon today.

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Melanie Lyons Tom Skains at the New York Society of Security Analysts

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Melanie Lyons | Comments Off


Earlier this week, AGA’s chairman Tom Skains spoke before the New York Society of Security Analysts. He told the packed room that in today’s current financial and economic crisis, natural gas can help revitalize the economy, fight global climate change and enhance America’s energy security. You can download Tom’s presentation and remarks here.

AGA executives also told attendees about our organizations top issues for 2009:  supply, dividend tax, LIHEAP funding and the environment.  An Associated Press reporter who was in attendance captured the event nicely.

090130nyssaenergydemand Tom Skains at the New York Society of Security Analysts

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Melanie Lyons Closing out the International Builders Show

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Melanie Lyons | Comments Off


As the International Builders Show draws to a close here in Vegas, the mood is somewhat somber with glimmers of hope for a turnaround.  As this article from the Wall Street Journal, reported direct from the Las Vegas Convention Center, explains “Single-family-housing starts, which fell 40% to 617,000 in 2007, are expected to drop to about 441,000 this year — the lowest since records have been kept…  That would be a nearly 75% drop from the industry’s highwater mark of 1.7 million single-family starts in 2005.”  These figures were released by NAHB at the show.

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.  Green was the name of the game.  This piece by the Associated Press tells the greens story that was displayed at the show.  And Bobvila.com did a little blurb on our fellow booth mates from the Council for Responsible Energy.

090123ibsbooth Closing out the International Builders Show

Our booth at the International Builders Show.

Just as the show was getting ready to close for the evening, the AGA booth was visited by NAHB board member Bob Nielson. He visited with Jeff Shaw from Southwest Gas, AGA staff and had a look at all the great products displayed in the American Gas Industry booth.  AGA staff look forward to another great Homebuilders Show in Las Vegas next year!

090123ibstom Closing out the International Builders Show

Tom Moskitis, AGA Managing Director, Jeff Shaw, CEO, Southwest Gas Corporation, and Bob Nielson, second vice chairman, board member, NAHB.

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