The Source - Winter 2008 - (Page 42)

at last What green means In the Phoenix area we have an interesting ritual that takes place each fall. When leaves begin to turn in the northeast, college football takes center stage in the South, early-season snow flurries in the upper Midwest, the Northwest prepares for its rainy season, and in the Valley of the Sun we awaken from our summer hibernation and begin to over-seed our lawns and golf courses. We plant lush green fall carpets of perennial rye turf, water it more than a summer lawn, and create a never-ending chore of cutting the grass. When the ritual started this year, a friend mentioned that we were Going Green and should get some type of credit for being in sync with national issues and trends. As we continued to work and talk, it was apparent to me that as homeowners, neither of us had a firm understanding of what it means to Go Green. Sure, we had upgraded a few light bulbs, tried to consolidate weekend errands to minimize driving, and turned our home thermostats up to 81° from 79° (a significant sacrifice for one who lives in Mesa in August). But, as gas utility professionals, we must be well prepared to educate our communities, and our appointed and elected officials, about what it means to Go Green and articulate its benefits and the need to do so. This year, APGA focused on a number of priorities including how the natural gas industry fits into the green movement and what it means for community-owned gas utilities. Going Green can be a hard concept to put your finger on. It has different meanings to different people and groups. At APGA, our effort to Go Green revolves around working with policymakers to ensure that a comprehensive climate change bill will tout the benefits of natural gas. When it comes to climate change, natural gas is part of the solution—not part of the problem. Congress should also incentivize greater direct use of natural gas, provide greater access to domestic supplies, and encourage a diversity of fuel for electric generation. A fair and sound climate change policy will recognize natural gas as an abundant domestic resource and the cleanest burning fossil fuel. Climate change legislation is a watershed event that will impact our communities in many ways— some bad, some good, and some we just cannot anticipate. As a community-owned gas utility, Mesa looks to APGA to ensure our positions are heard and considered in the upcoming Congressional debate on climate change legislation. As we move past the election into a new year, a new administration, and a new Congress, it is imperative APGA remain active in the legislative and regulatory initiatives that impact our industry and our customers. I am confident APGA’s staff is an effective advocate in Washington and represents our positions well. But, we simply cannot rely solely on the great APGA staff. APGA’s greatest strength is you—its members. You speak for people who are directly affected by our country’s natural gas policies. The effectiveness of our messages and advocacy efforts are greatly enhanced when they come directly from our member communities to our elected officials in Congress. I close with a request: please get involved. Either by phone or e-mail, let Bert, Dave, or Nate know your thoughts about climate change legislation. I look forward to seeing you all in January in Clearwater, Fla. Mike Comstock 2008-2009 APGA Chairman 42 THE SOURCE | THE VOICE AND CHOICE OF PUBLIC GAS

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Source - Winter 2008

The Source - Winter 2008 Contents First Person The Bridge to Renewable Energy Future Natural Gas: The Comfortable, Responsible Energy Solution Gas Hydrates: Poised for the Next Phase The Role of Natural Gas in a Carbon-Constrained World Natural Gas Prepays Taking the Leap to Natural Gas Vehicles The Pipeline Legislative Outlook Advertiser's Index Advertiser.com At Last

The Source - Winter 2008

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