American Gas - June 2011 - (Page 5)

PeoPle Trends evenTs news presidenT’s energy policy speech highlighTs naTural gas “The poTenTial for natural gas is enormous,” President Barack Obama declared in a major energy policy speech at Georgetown University in Washington in April. He pointed in particular to advances in drilling technology that have provided the opportunity to tap “perhaps a century’s worth” of shale gas reserves. “But just as is true in terms of extracting oil from the ground, we’ve got to make sure we’re extracting natural gas safely, without polluting our water supply,” he added. Obama said he has asked Energy Secretary Stephen Chu to work with the natural gas industry, states and “environmental experts” to improve the safety of shale gas extraction. The president noted that “there’s actually been some broad bipartisan agreement” on natural gas. “Last year, more than 150 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle produced legislation providing incentives to use industry clean-burning natural gas in our vehicles instead of oil,” he said. “Getting 150 members of Congress to agree on anything is a big deal.” Obama called on “members of Congress and all the interested parties to keep at it, pass a bill that helps us achieve the goal of extracting natural gas in a safe, environ- mentally sound way.” Also in his speech, Obama defended his administration against charges that it had slowed offshore oil and gas development, stating that there were more than twice as many permits approved last year than there were new wells begun by producers. “We’ve said if you’re going to drill offshore, you’ve got to have a plan to make sure we don’t have the kind of catastrophe we had last year,” Obama said. “Moreover, we’re actually pushing the oil industry to take advantage of the opportunities that they’ve already got. Right now the industry holds tens of millions of acres of leases where they’re not producing a single drop.” Obama also said the administration is “exploring and assessing new frontiers for oil and gas development from Alaska to the Mid- and South Atlantic states.” Also in his address, Obama called for a one-third reduction in oil imports by 2025 AmericAn GAs June 2011 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - June 2011

American Gas - June 2011
Contents
President’s Message
In the News
To Be the Best
Tech Talk
Ever Vigilant
Listing of Exhibitors in Alphabetical Order
AGA Operations Conference Exhibit Hall Floor Plan
Listing of Exhibitors by Booth Number
In the News
Marketplace
Places to Be
Jobline
Advertisers’ Index
Facts on Gas

American Gas - June 2011