Washington, D.C. – AGA President and CEO, Dave McCurdy, today released the following statement regarding President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“In his State of the Union address, President Obama spoke about the challenges our nation faces and solutions that can help address many of these challenges. Whether focused on job creation, economic recovery, or improving our environment or national security, natural gas is part of the answer.
“The energy industry has long been on the forefront of innovation, and that still rings true today. Our domestic supplies of natural gas have led to stability – natural gas utilities are delivering essential energy to customers at stable prices, and doing so more efficiently every year. Research and development is vital to ensuring that we continue to improve upon the clean, efficient production, delivery and use of this foundation fuel across our economy.
“Of the energy options available, natural gas is one of the most energy efficient due to the way in which it is produced, delivered and used in homes, buildings, industry and transportation, and expanding the use of existing highly-efficient natural gas technologies will play a big role in reaching the President’s goal of doubling energy productivity by 2030.
“Natural gas is delivered safely and reliably every day to help consumers meet their energy needs, and utilities consistently invest to upgrade and expand natural gas infrastructure to help ensure this foundation fuel can continue to meet our growing energy demand. The President outlined a ‘Partnership to Rebuild America’ that will attract private capital to upgrade natural gas pipeline and other critical infrastructure. Streamlining and expediting infrastructure permitting is necessary to ensure timely completion and investment for these important projects, and I appreciate the President’s focus on ‘cutting red tape.’
“I am pleased to see the President recognize the many benefits of natural gas in his remarks tonight, and we look forward to working with his administration in making use of this foundation fuel to help address our national priorities.”