AGA released a press statement supporting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s efforts to bring the gas-electric coordination discussion to the top of its policymaking agenda.  FERC has opened up a new proceeding (or “docket”) on its website (Docket No. AD12-12-000) to receive public comments on gas-electric issues and to determine where and how FERC can play an important role in facilitating stakeholder discussions. A variety of factors have spurred this outreach effort by FERC, including the increasing use of natural gas for power generation and recent events like the February 2011 Southwest power outages.

While FERC typically seeks public comments proposals to regulate the energy industry, AD12-12-000 is a discussion docket that will house responses by interested parties to specific requests by Commissioner Phillip Moeller and Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur.  Commissioner Moeller has released a statement seeking comments on gas-electric coordination, and Commissioner LaFleur has followed with requests for comments on five specific areas which may be addressed in Docket No. AD12-12-000.  Comments from the public in response to both Commissioners’ requests are due on March 30, 2012.

FERC has also collaborated with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) to plan recommendations for improving coordination among the natural gas and power markets.  At the recent NARUC winter meetings, Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, Commissioner John Norris and Commissioner LaFleur participated in a gas-electric scenario exercise to simulate a cold-weather gas shortage event that could impact power supply.  The participants in this “emerging issues” collaborative included a representative from National Fuel Gas, an AGA member company serving Western New York and Pennsylvania.  Soon after this meeting, Commissioner Moeller stated that “Although comprehensive solutions may take longer to implement, we must make actual improvements to the system now,” and added that “national and regional policies need to be advanced prior to the next heating season.”

Stay tuned for comments to FERC from AGA, to be filed on March 30, 2012.

If the attitude of those visiting the American Gas Association booth at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) is indicative of the industry, 2012 should be a positive growth year for new construction. IBS is the largest national trade event for the residential construction industry. This year the show attracted more than 51,000 constructions professionals and 900 exhibitors.

AGA’s Director, Communications Tracey Burleson attended the conference in Orlando, FL.  AGA’s exhibit drew thousands of visitors to hear about the benefits of natural gas and examine the latest products from more than 20 manufacturers including Rinnai, Lennox, BSH Home Appliances, and R.H. Peterson.  They also got a chance to see a natural gas Honda Civic and filling station.

The AGA has exhibited at IBS for 66 years. Employees from utility companies across the country represented the industry to construction professionals of all types and sizes interested in building with natural gas and natural gas appliances.

Mark your calendar for next year’s IBS in Las Vegas January 22 – 24.

Citizens from across the country gathered in Washington, DC on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 to call for greater support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). AGA joined the National Fuel Funds Network and the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association in sponsoring LIHEAP Action Day, a day of activities aimed at building awareness about LIHEAP, including a press conference on Capitol Hill, to urge Members of Congress to fully fund this critical program.

Congressman Peter King (R-NY) received the "Extra Mile" award from representatives of Con Edison and National Grid

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.

After many years of underfunding LIHEAP, Congress funded the program at $5.1 billion in FY2009 and FY2010. Unfortunately, since then, funding for LIHEAP has been cut drastically – to $4.7 billion in FY2011 and less than $3.5 billion in FY2012. The Obama administration is proposing $3 billion for LIHEAP in the FY2013 budget

Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) at the press conference on Capitol Hill

As a result of the economic downtown and the increase in poverty and unemployment, the number of low-income households eligible for LIHEAP in 2012 will continue to climb.

Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of AGA, said “Our nation faces a significant economic challenge, but now is not the time to shortchange millions of American households that depend on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to stay warm.  We are calling for $5.1 billion for LIHEAP.  We must find a way to balance our budget and reduce our deficit without cutting programs for those who need them most.”

National Fuel Funds Network's Tom Stovall and Eric Lopez, retired Marine from Colorado and LIHEAP recipient

For more photos, please visit our Facebook page.

Today, we released our 2012 Playbook, the essential handbook for natural gas information.

The 2012 Playbook includes up-to-date facts on natural gas and the natural gas industry, including pipeline safety, supply, responsible resource development, energy efficiency and regulation.

Thanks to an unprecedented abundance of domestic natural gas, this affordable resource is changing the energy industry and our nation’s economy. Yet, there is a lot of misinformation and out-of-date information out there about natural gas.

The AGA 2012 Playbook is a concise yet detailed explanation about the role natural gas plays in energy security, a cleaner environment and economic prosperity.  It covers the history of natural gas, the challenges and opportunities of the natural gas industry, and the priority issues and strategies with respect to the production, transmission, distribution and use of America’s clean and domestically abundant energy source.  It also contains information about innovation and direct economic benefits including industry-related jobs.

It should be a go-to resource for anyone interested in energy.  I hope you will take full advantage of the information included and use the 2012 Playbook as a communications tool to help educate and inform people about the opportunities for citizens and our national as a whole through greater use of natural gas.