American Gas - August/September 2014 - (Page 2)

Having the vision not only to see beyond the horizon but also to chart a path to get there requires acumen and audacity-in equal measure BY DAVE MCCURDY PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MAKING THE COMMITMENT T he United States has been blessed with a domestic abundance of natural gas, but to take its rightful place as the foundation fuel for our nation's clean and secure energy future, it will require leadership, strategic planning, and a word you hear often in the energy conversation: vision. Vision is the ability to see not just what is beyond the horizon, but to chart the path to get there. It requires acumen and audacity in equal measure. In 2012, AGA produced a piece titled "The Promise of Natural Gas" which was referred to as a vision that points to a decade or more of relative natural gas market stability. The Fueling the Future study launched earlier this year showed that, in some cases, policies need to be revised to clear the way for all Americans to experience the beneﬁts of this clean energy source. I said at the time that strategic use of natural gas can help achieve our national goals of reducing our costs for energy, protecting our environment and increasing our energy security, but that reaching these goals will require government, natural gas utilities, and customers to commit to a shared vision. Throughout the year, AGA's Chairman Gregg Kantor has been traveling around the country telling audiences that by the end of this decade, our country is positioned to have natural gas vehicles and refueling stations across all 50 states, but only if our nation's leadership can make some commitments and set objectives, thereby providing all stakeholders with a vision for natural gas transportation in the U.S. In this issue of American Gas, we sat down with the newest AGA board members to discuss the state of our industry. It was a lively and insightful conversation. Reading this article, the word "vision" again comes to my mind. From new programs that help with residential natural gas conversions, to working with states to provide the necessary support for extending mains 2 AMERICAN GAS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 to underserved communities, these leaders are providing a vision for their companies, their customers, and our industry. It is clear that this new crop of leaders is prepared to build upon the legacy of their predecessors. When the subject of obstacles to LDC growth comes up, it is not surprising that an aging and retiring workforce is mentioned. You can see how seriously AGA's membership takes the issue of workforce sustainability by its constant inclusion at our conferences and the comprehensive coverage in the pages of this magazine. We are putting structures in place to address this challenge. Many of our member companies have programs to educate and develop a skilled workforce capable of maintaining the 21stcentury technology that delivers and utilizes natural gas. AGA has partnered with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) supporting the Center for Energy Workforce Development, and last year we announced the creation of the AGA Scholarship Program which will provide $1 million in funding for students interested in pursuing a career in the natural gas industry through 2018. The program is underway, and we have an update on its progress in this month's issue as well. America's natural gas utilities share a common vision for the future, where natural gas continues to provide affordable and efﬁcient energy for homes and businesses, runs a signiﬁcant number of our vehicles, generates more power, and supports other forms of renewable energy. We are working to ensure that the people are in place and the pipes are in the ground to make this vision a reality. u President and CEO, dmccurdy@aga.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - August/September 2014

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American Gas - August/September 2014