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The real natural gas message in a climate crunch
I thought you might be interested in the following letter to the editor Dave Parker submitted to The Hill regarding the coal-to-natural-gas conversation.
Dear Editor:
Your recent article, “Natural gas lobby steps up to challenge coal” (3/1/10), wrongly insinuated that a “fight” is brewing between natural gas and coal trade associations in Washington over impending climate legislation.
Rather, the natural gas industry has good news to share about the environmental benefits of natural gas and is rightly using any venue possible to spread this positive message.
Americans have indicated that they care deeply about reducing carbon in our atmosphere. That’s why the American Gas Association (AGA), a trade association that represents 195 local energy companies that deliver natural gas throughout the United States, is working to educate lawmakers and consumers about the clean, efficient properties of natural gas.
AGA believes Americans have a right to know that natural gas emits 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal and 30 percent less than heating oil. Based on these numbers alone, it’s clear that natural gas can and should play a major role in reducing carbon emissions in the United States. While these carbon reductions can best be achieved through direct use of natural gas in the home (i.e. heating and cooking), major carbon reductions can also be achieved from natural gas-fired power plants, as was mentioned in your article.
AGA is a proponent of fuel diversity in the United States. Our country must rely on a mix of fuels if we are to achieve energy security and freedom from dependence on foreign oil.
As a clean-burning, domestically abundant, low carbon fuel, natural gas is “here and now” and is ready to help our country reach its energy goals. In fact, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu visited AGA offices last month and clearly stated that natural gas is a necessary component of any truly renewable energy program.
Without engaging in “fights” or petty exchanges, AGA will continue to inform lawmakers about our industry’s good story and about the possibilities of natural gas in a new energy future.
Let me know if you think we’re on the mark in the comments below.
Do Hacked E-mails Change Climate Debate?
My latest comment from the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog.
Natural Gas Already Thinking Ahead
There is little doubt that the University of East Anglia’s e-mails provide fodder for those who oppose or even question the legitimacy of climate change. The apparent machinations brought to light by these justifiably scandalous e-mails do indeed cast doubt on the objective sincerity of some scientists. And they may very well draw into question these experts’ contributions to the objective debate surrounding global climate issues and of humanity’s contributing role.
Nonetheless, the fact remains that the issue of climate change is a top priority for the Obama administration and for Congress. For most observers, the overwhelming body of scientific evidence seems to have put the matter to rest, certainly in the eyes of many of those heading to Copenhagen. Only this week the Environmental Protection Agency officially declared greenhouse gas emissions a threat to human health.
What really matters right now is taking action to frame this wide-ranging debate in a way that provides both meaningful structure to address the world’s environmental challenges and allows for reasonable input from industries likely to be affected by any resulting regulation. Regardless of any action as a result of the Copenhagen negotiations, it should be noted that America’s natural gas utilities already have a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to being environmental stewards.
Terms like conservation and energy efficiency are not new to our industry; rather, they are our hallmarks. In fact, residential customers who use natural gas for heating have a carbon footprint today that is essentially the same as it was in 1970, even though the number of households using natural gas has grown from 38 million in 1970 to 65 million in 2009.
AGA will, therefore, continue to pursue the course we are already on – to encourage the use of clean, abundant, domestic natural gas in direct-use applications, as part of a low-carbon portfolio for energy generation and in innovative, effective ways such as the new generation of natural gas vehicles.
Alliance to Save Energy “All Roads to Copenhagen” Summit
I’m getting a little pumped about Dave’s panel during the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE)’s “All Roads to Copenhagen” Summit tomorrow. I don’t get a chance to physically get out of the office much so it’ll be a nice opportunity to talk to some people face to face. Plus, I’ll be bringing the video camera and taking some shots while I’m there. And yes to the Alliance, we will be dropping the occasional tweet or two.
The real reason I’m looking forward to the event though is we’re releasing some pretty important news tomorrow and Dave is going to be mentioning it during his panel.
What is it? Well, I can’t say yet. 
Be sure to visit the ASE web site for full info on the event. I’m cutting and pasting the full agenda here to make it easier ( Dave’s session starts at 9:20 a.m.) You’ll of course find me by the pastries beforehand.
In the meantime, why don’t you read about National Academies recommendation that the U.S. Department of Energy change its system of setting appliance energy-efficiency standards to a full-fuel-cycle measurement.
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration (coffee/pastries) |
| 9:00 a.m. | Opening and Welcome Remarks
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| 9:05 a.m | Keynote Remarks
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| 9:20 a.m. | Utility Perspective Panel
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| 10:05 a.m. | Keynote Remarks
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| 10:25 a.m. | Business Perspective Panel
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| 11:30 a.m. | Coffee & Networking Break |
| 11:45 a.m. | Keynote Remarks
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| 12:00 p.m. | Labor/Public Interest Perspective (5 min. each then Q&A) – Confirmed Speakers:
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| 12:25 p.m. | Keynote Remarks
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| 12:45 p.m. | Closing Comments and Adjourn
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True Blue Natural Gas Blog from the American Gas Association (AGA)- Natural gas is ahead of the curve
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- Natural Gas Market Indicators
- Sen. Murkowski, Energy Leaders Point to Natural Gas as Large Piece of the Climate Change Puzzle
- Diversification of natural gas supply is an essential consumer protection
- From Austin to Boston in a natural gas vehicle
- Natural gas, how about zero carbon emissions
- The real natural gas message in a climate crunch
- Let’s work together to protect our seniors
- Natural Gas Market Indicators
