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Congratulations Mary Jane McCartney on AGA’s Distinguished Service Award
I had the opportunity to go to AGA’s board of directors dinner the other night in the Mansfield Room at the Capitol. At this special dinner, AGA honored Mary Jane McCartney with its highest service award. It’s always a pleasure when we can recognize one of our outstanding members for all the hard work they do for our association and the industry. Mary Jane seemed to enjoy herself immensely. I’ve included a couple pictures and the transcript from Bob’s remarks introducing Mary Jane.
Mary Jane McCartney and AGA Chairman Robert Skaggs
Remarks from AGA Chairman Robert Skaggs
I have the privilege this evening to recognize someone who has provided extraordinary service to our industry and our association with AGA’s Distinguished Service Award.
First, let me thank Niel Ellerbook of Vectren, who chaired the 2009 selection committee, and David McClanahan of CenterPoint Energy and Doug Yaeger of Laclede, who served on the award committee. Gentlemen, thank you.
AGA’s Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor that any member of this association can receive, and our recipient is most deserving. This is the first time the award has been made to a female colleague – and it should come as no surprise that I am talking about Mary Jane McCartney, former senior vice president of Consolidated Edison Company of New York.
David N. Parker, president and CEO of the American Gas Association and Mary Jane McCartney
Named one of the Most Influential Women in New York City Business by Crain’s New York Business in 2007, she was recognized as being responsible for gas delivery to 1.1 million homes and offices in New York City and Westchester, supervising a team of 1,000. During her tenure natural gas usage increased 150 percent. Mary Jane — Are you sure you want to remain retired? I think some of us would like to see those numbers.
Crain’s further noted that in addition to the positive effect natural gas has had in helping Consolidated Edison of New York reduce CO2 emissions, Mary Jane shepherded innovations such as robotic gas-pipe sealers on New York City’s streets.
She was also recognized in 2007 with Consolidated Edison’s Living our Values Award – it is the most prestigious honor the company bestows on an employee. This award recognizes employees who personify the corporate values of service, honesty, concern, courtesy, excellence, and teamwork, at work and home.
Mary Jane’s record of leadership in our industry has been exemplary. Her hard work and dedication to excellence throughout her entire career has been a model for all. Through her efforts, our industry has been able to successfully navigate many significant challenges.
When AGA formed the Government Relations Policy Committee in 1996 to guide AGA in its core mission, advocacy, Mary Jane was one of the first asked to serve, and her knowledge, wisdom and leadership never failed to advance the cause and interests of AGA members. She continuously served on that committee from 1996 to 2009.
Whenever the natural gas sector needed to come together to solve a problem, she was among the first asked to help guide the effort, if not lead it. She was a very active and vocal member in AGA’s Climate Change Task Force, Demand Task Force, Leadership Council, Marketing Communications Committee, Research Committee, Supply Task Force and Taxation Committee.
In addition to AGA, the organizations in which she served or led include the Gas Technology Institute (from which she retired as chairman); the Gas Industry Standards Board; the North American Energy Standards Board; the Northeast Gas Association, the International Gas Union; and the Society of Gas Lighters.
Certainly our industry, and our association, owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mary Jane, one that we can only partially pay by recognizing her with AGA’s Distinguished Service Award.
Mary Jane, so glad that you and your husband George could take time from your valuable personal time to travel down from New York to join us.
Welcome to the new Washington Area Fuel Fund web site
We just got an email from Lynn Battle over at Washington Gas announcing the launch of the new Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) web site. The WAFF pays for all types of fuel to heat the homes of people in financial need. During the past five years, the fund has given an average of approximately $870,000 annually to area residents.
The main focus of the site is making it easier for people to give online donations. You can now give as little as $5 through the web site. The site also gives other ways for you to make your donations. These donations are going to become increasingly important as it’s been an especially cold winter already.
These types of programs are critical for people. Especially since the FY2011 budget request to Congress asked for $3.3 billion ($2.51 billion in regular funding and $790,000 in contingency funding) for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), down from the $5.1 billion that was provided in the current FY2010 appropriation.
Some more history on the fund. The WAFF was established in 1983 by Washington Gas and The Salvation Army. Since then, the WAFF has disbursed more than $19.5 million to more than 232,0000 people helping keep the homes of area residents warm during the winter. That’s a lot of help. If you have a chance drop by the new site and make a donation if you can.
LIHEAP Action Day coming up
Here are the details on the upcoming Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Day for which we just sent out information yesterday afternoon.
It’s only five weeks until the National Fuel Funds Network’s (NFFN) LIHEAP Action Day, February 10, 2010 in Washington, D.C. Registration for NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day is now open. The deadline for discounted hotel rooms is January 21. Please join delegates from across the country in the Nation’s Capitol to kick-off advocacy for at least $5.1 billion for LIHEAP in Fiscal Year 2011.
If you have already registered, thank you. If you have not registered, please help NFFN plan for the event and register now. by visiting www.nationalfuelfunds.org.
We need your participation on LIHEAP Action Day to maintain and increase LIHEAP funding. Here’s why:
On December 18, the National Assistance Energy Directors’ Association released a study that shows how much of a difference the increase in LIHEAP funding made in FY 2009. A record number of households received assistance. The study is available at www.neada.org,
“The number of households receiving heating assistance reached record levels for the second year in a row, increasing from 6.1 million (5.8 million heating and 0.3 million cooling) to 8.3 million (7.7 million heating and 0.6 million cooling). Eleven states reported increases of more than 50%: California 162%, Texas 122%, Florida 104%, Nevada 80%, Arizona 80%, Oklahoma 76.3%, Kentucky 72.1%, Delaware 71%, Tennessee 62%, Oregon 55%, and Washington 54%.”
NEADA also projects “an increase of 20% in the number of families applying for assistance based on initial application rates”. NFFN agrees with NEADA that “The current funding level will not be sufficient to meet the need if current trends continue. In the absence of supplemental funding, states will have few choices other than to reduce benefits, tighten eligibility requirements or close programs early.”
LIHEAP advocates have their work cut out for them to make sure that these choices will not come to fruition. Since 2003, NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day has been integral to convincing Congress to increase LIHEAP funding to the present $5.1 billion annually. We will need to work hard to secure this level again or more in FY 2011. The action begins on February 10. We need your participation.
NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day will begin with a breakfast briefing at 8:15 am and end with a reception 4:30 on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. The American Gas Association will provide their Capitol Hill office as central gathering place. NFFN will distribute talking points and background information, expert advice and training in lobbying for LIHEAP for a diverse group of participants.
We expect representatives from fuel funds and other nonprofit organizations, consumer advocacy programs, utility and fuel oil companies and associations, and local, state and Tribal governments. Action Day advocates will fan out over Capitol Hill with a uniform message for legislators – provide needed LIHEAP funding.
NFFN will also have a briefing and reception for early arrivals on Tuesday, February 9 at 4:30, PM, at a location close to the event hotel.
There is no charge for registration. We will update registrants on the legislative situation and other developments between now and LIHEAP Action Day.
NFFN has arranged for discounted hotel rates for February 9 and 10 at the Red Roof Inn in downtown Washington. The hotel is in Chinatown, near the Verizon Center. It is directly accessible on the Metro yellow line from Reagan National Airport, two blocks from the Gallery Place stop. The deadline for the discounted room rate at the Red Roof Inn is January 21. Please register now for the hotel. NFFN will provide bus transportation from the hotel to Capitol Hill on the morning of February 10.
Red Roof Inn
500 H Street, NW, Washington, DC
(202) 289-5959
Room Rate: $149 + tax
Reference No: B254NFF10
For more details on Action Day, please contact NFFN Executive Director George Coling, 202-824-0660, coling@nationalfuelfunds.org. Also, please read a supportive editorial from the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/opinion/28mon2.html?_r=1&ref=opinion.
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- The convenience of the natural gas fireplace
- Coming Down To Earth, A Winning Strategy For Renewables
- Energy Secretary Chu Identifies Natural Gas as Key to a Low-Carbon Future
