Washington, D.C. — The American Gas Association (AGA) today applauded President Obama for recognizing the role of natural gas in the country’s “Sputnik moment.”
“We commend the president for acknowledging the role of natural gas in the country’s clean energy future,” said Dave Parker, president and CEO of AGA. “Natural gas is poised to play a critical role in improving our country’s efficiency, security and economy today and for hundreds of years to come.”
President Obama stressed the need for additional research and innovation across many sectors, including incentives for the automotive industry to help break the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. “We look forward to working with the president and Congress to broaden their thinking beyond the goal set by Obama for electric cars to include clean natural gas vehicles, which will further reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help to meet our carbon reduction goals,” Parker said.
“The president also stressed the importance of job creation, something we know that the natural gas industry can continue to deliver on,” said Parker. “The natural gas industry employs 300,000 people and that doesn’t even begin to take into account the millions of people employed indirectly by the industry. Increased investment in clean natural gas technologies and the infrastructure needed to deliver the fuel is a solid investment in America’s economic engine.”
Natural gas is an essential component in the U.S. economy. It is a clean energy source found in abundance throughout the United States and Canada that meets one-fourth of all U.S. energy needs.
“As the president noted, there’s a lot at stake,” Parker said. “Protecting the environment, the economy and our national security are increasingly important challenges and natural gas is clearly part of the solution. We are pleased to know the White House supports the use of this clean and efficient energy source to meet America’s needs and we look forward to working with Congress to best serve the country by developing sound policies that make full use of America’s abundant natural gas.”