American Gas - December 2013/January 2014 - (Page 23)

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is quick to testify to the role the state-and, by extension, NW Natural-is playing in shaping our nation's policies. "Protecting our environment is something that's really in Oregon's DNA," says Wyden, who has known and worked with Kantor for 25 years. "NW Natural has been at the forefront of delivering clean, efficient energy to customers and giving them choices about how they can reduce their own carbon footprint. Gregg has been a real resource as our committee looks at ways to lock in environmental and economic benefits of natural gas, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as our nation transitions to a lower-carbon economy." The Art of the Possible Kantor is quick to note that his 17 years working at a utility in the Northwest have taught him the art of the possible. Part of this is tied to the evolution in consumers' perceptions of natural gas. "People who have natural gas for heat and hot water really like it," Kantor says. "It has a good reputation from an environmental perspective." However, he adds, "we must also be willing to engage those who have legitimate concerns about our product. There is a portion of our public in the Northwest who would say we should only have wind and solar power. And, of course, they don't understand the intermittency of those renewable resources. When you get an opportunity to explain those issues, to engage in a dialogue, you can come to an understanding about the realities of our energy use now and in the future." Changing people's perceptions of natural gas has been a very positive experience for Gregg Kantor, as he's explained the properties of natural gas-the cost, how safe it is, the flexibility it provides for power generation, the efficiency it provides for direct use, and its role in manufacturing. And he'd like to see his fellow utilities making the same pitch. During his chairmanship, he says, he wants natural gas utilities to take responsibility for making sure the nation understands what an amazing opportunity it has before it. "Natural gas is a key solution for our economy and our environment," Kantor stresses. "We do not need to choose between providing essential energy to people and protecting the planet. With natural gas we can do both and so much more." The LDC story, this former press secretary contends, is a source of great power for America, as it is utilities that can enable customers to utilize our domestic abundance of natural gas and thereby be credible messengers. His confidence in this stems from a belief that, because we produce, transport, and deliver natural gas in a safe, clean, and responsible manner, challenges to this notion are easily met. As an example, he cites efforts throughout the nation to upgrade and modernize the natural gas pipeline network to enhance safety as well as the increasing focus on lowering emissions. Bigger Dreams But beyond this, Gregg Kantor has bigger dreams for natural gas in America. "This is a huge, huge opportunity for this nation," he says. "While markets will drive a lot of that opportunity, it's also important to shape public policy in the process. You need an infusion of policy to help create the opportunities. This is about rewriting the future." Kantor is eager to extend current manufacturing growth by streamlining local and state permitting processes to expedite infrastructure creation for large industrial facilities. He cites the triple bottom line for natural gas as a transportation fuel: removing dependence on foreign oil, providing lower cost to the driving public, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. He speaks of the transformative potential of inspired and big thinking harking back to projects such as the Interstate highway system and manned space flight. KAntor's reAdinG list "i also take great pleasure in reading," says kantor. "i'm particularly drawn to historical fiction." all-time favorites James michener: The Source, Hawaii, and The Drifters david mccullough: John Adams and 1776 laura hillenbrand: Unbroken Ken Follett: The Pillars of the Earth recent reads edward rutherfurd: New York erik larson: In the Garden of Beasts Geraldine Brooks: People of the Book Ken Follett: Winter of the World, Fall of Giants an industry must-read richard muller: Energy Policy for Future Presidents december 2013/january 2014 AmericAn GAs 23

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - December 2013/January 2014

Contents

American Gas - December 2013/January 2014