American Gas - February 2013 - (Page 20)

W a l l street Invest in Gas Jibson is bullish with the NYSSA NEW YORK — In January, AGA Chairman Ron Jibson spoke to the New York Society of Security Analysts, with many of his comments focused on the strengths of natural gas companies from an investment perspective. The industry, he said, offers: • Positive financial health. “Our core business is transparent, asset-based, with healthy balance sheets and positive earning trends,” he said. In addition to a half-century of paying regular dividends, natural gas utilities have an average bond rating of BBB+/A-, “significantly higher than the average ratings of the rest of corporate America.” • A track record of financial performance. “Shares of our investor-owned AGA member companies, as measured by the performance of the AGA Stock Index, have performed very strongly against the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Utilities Average,” he said. In addition, “the Gas Utility Index Fund…has provided strong returns over three-, five-, and 10-year periods.” • Tax advantages. Noting Congress’ recent preservation of relatively low tax rates for dividends and capital gains (see page 36), he said that “keeping dividends low will help utilities expand and rebuild our infrastructure.” Looking ahead, Jibson discussed some actions needed to increase demand and drive even greater growth: “We can see greater benefits... if we…deploy energy-efficiency programs that fully leverage the efficient use of natural gas for space and water heating; expand the use of combined heat and power in commercial and industrial applications to unlock the potential for fuel cells, microgrids, and future energy innovation using natural gas; and encourage public-private partnerships to expand the network of refueling options for natural gas vehicles.”—PH Live Locating Locate Live Gas Mains and Plastic Service Lines From Meter To Main NO Blow By Locate Sewer Laterals & Cross Bores From Above Ground Since 1956 800.346.1956 WWW.JAMESONLLC.COM 20 American Gas february 2013 http://WWW.JAMESONLLC.COM http://WWW.JAMESONLLC.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - February 2013

American Gas - February 2013
Table of Contents
President’s Message
Subject Index
Supplanting Coal, Creating Jobs
Digest
Issues
Updates
Need to Know
By the Numbers
People and Places
Fill ‘er Up—in the Driveway
Europe
State House
City Hall
Wall Street
Elm Street
On the Docket
Profile: Philip B. Jones
Law
Jobs
Buyer’s Guide: Meters
Marketplace
Headway

American Gas - February 2013