American Gas - June 2012 - (Page 10)

industrynews PeoPle Trends evenTs White House Forms Working Group on Unconventional natural Gas In an aprIl 13 executive order, the Obama administration established a working group to coordinate the efforts of federal agencies responsible for overseeing unconventional natural gas development. The group, to be headed by White House energy adviser Heather Zichal, will “facilitate coordinated administration policy efforts to support safe and responsible unconventional domestic natural gas development,” the order said. Deputy-level representatives of the departments of Energy, the Interior, Defense, Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Council on Environmental Quality; the Office of Science and Technology Policy; the Office of Management and Budget; and the National Economic Council will serve on the working group. In his order, President Barack Obama noted that in 2011, natural gas provided 25 percent of the energy consumed in the United States. “Its production creates jobs and provides economic benefits to the entire domestic production supply chain, as well as to chemical and other manufacturers, who benefit from lower feedstock and energy costs,” the order said. “By helping to power our transportation system, greater use of natural gas can also reduce our dependence on oil. And with appropriate safeguards, natural gas can provide a cleaner source of energy than other fossil fuels,” Obama said. “For these reasons, it is vital that we take full advantage of our natural gas resources while giving American families and communities confidence that natural and cultural resources, air and water quality, and public health and safety will not be compromised.” The order noted that while states are the primary regulators of onshore gas activities, “the federal government has an important role to play by regulating oil and gas activities on public and Indian trust lands, encouraging greater use of natural gas in transportation, supporting research and development aimed at improving the safety of natural gas development and transportation activities, and setting sensible, costeffective public health and environmental standards to implement federal law and augment state safeguards.” The executive order received generally high marks from the natural gas industry. Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of AGA, said, “We are pleased to see this action today, which will help promote consistency between the administration and policies that are put in place. The working group will foster improved government communication and coordination that will help our members continue to safely deliver this foundation fuel to 177 million Americans every day.” The American Petroleum Institute said it was “pleased that the White House recognizes the need to coordinate the efforts of the 10 federal agencies that are reviewing, studying or proposing new regulations on natural gas development and hydraulic fracturing.” It noted, however, that there are already strong regulatory systems in place in the states, and “adding potentially redundant federal regulation could stifle the kind of investment that has led to lower energy prices for consumers, more American jobs and increased energy security.” 10 AmericAn GAs june 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - June 2012

American Gas - June 2012
Contents
President’s Message
In the Know
In the News
Safety First
Fueling Progress
2012 AGA Membership Directory
Places to Be
Noteworthies
Advertisers’ Index
Jobline
Marketplace
Facts on Gas

American Gas - June 2012

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/20151201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/20140809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/20141201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/20130809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/20131201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aga/201003
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com