The Source - Spring 2009 - (Page 36)

legislative outlook APGA also has maintained that the most logical point of regulation (the entity required to obtain and turn in greenhouse gas permits) for the natural gas industry in a federal carbon reduction program is ‘upstream’ from the LDC. Upstream regulation would reduce the number of sources that must be regulated and simplify administration of the program. APGA has voiced concerns to Congress regarding the burden that would be placed on public gas systems, approximately half of which have five employees or fewer, if they are tasked with tracking emissions and then navigating what will surely be a complex allowance trading market. APGA feels strongly that LDCs are the best vehicle to receive government allocations and auction revenue set aside to help minimize the rising costs of energy that consumers could face as a result of climate change legislation. In addition, APGA supports increased direct use of natural gas in homes and businesses through incentives as a part of any climate change plan. Increasing the direct use of natural gas in homes and commercial and industrial businesses is a more efficient use of energy and is a real near-term method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, using gas-fired water heaters for homes instead of electricresistance water heaters ultimately reduces greenhouse gas emissions by one-half to two-thirds. LIHEAP The last Congress allocated a record $5.1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), roughly a 56 percent increase over the previous year’s funding level. This is the full amount of funding authorized for LIHEAP program under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. APGA continues to make the case before Congress and the administration that LIHEAP funding assistance allows low-income families to avoid making the difficult choice between paying their energy bills or paying for other necessities such as healthcare, food and childcare. APGA joined with more than 100 other groups on Feb. 11 as part of the National Fuel Funds Network Washington Action Day for LIHEAP, to show lawmakers the importance of continuing to make significant investments in LIHEAP funding. Especially in tough economic times, more and more families are depending on LIHEAP meet their energy needs. Since 1981, the number of households eligible for LIHEAP assistance has grown, while the number of households served has declined. Nate Hill is the director of government aﬀairs for APGA. 36 THE SOURCE | THE VOICE AND CHOICE OF PUBLIC GAS http://www.abloyusa.com http://www.mrrus.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Source - Spring 2009

The Source - Spring 2009 Contents First Person APGA Events Q&A: One-on-One with Senator Jeff Bingaman Great Malls Think Alike The Economy and Your Customers Member to Member New Technology: Saving Energy Never Felt So Good New Technology: Get Pumped! Legislative Outlook The Pipeline Advertiser.com Advertisers' Index At Last

The Source - Spring 2009

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