American Gas - October 2011 - (Page 2)

President’s Message Putting Our Country’s Fiscal House in Order AGA and its members are focused on responsible stewardship— for themselves and their communities and nation. A Barry Myers DAve mccurDy President and ceO dmccurdy@aga.org t the August AGA Executive Committee meeting in Farmington, Pa., after an interesting discussion about Washington’s recent, contentious budget deficit negotiations and what effect America’s dire fiscal circumstances might have on our members’ advocacy priorities, the discussion evolved into a review of the state of our fractious political leadership and the message it is sending to America and the world. Having served in Congress during many budget debates, and having joined AGA just as the controversy began heating up over hydraulic fracturing and shale gas production, the phrase I kept thinking of was “responsible stewardship.” That is, how we are now communicating our laser-like focus on responsible resource development. To that end, AGA has developed a set of principles—you can find them at aga.org—that clearly defines our members’ stance on responsible and sustainable development of our abundant, domestic natural gas resource. But our members also apply responsible stewardship to their daily operations. Natural gas utilities are more than providers of natural gas; they are vital members of their community. They run safe, sound, fiscally responsible businesses. They make long-term investments in infrastructure, pay their bills, balance their budgets and help sustain the local economy because the more their communities thrive, the more they thrive. We should expect no less from our political leaders, but as the discussion among our leaders at the Executive Committee meeting made clear, we aren’t getting it from Washington and that must change. To this end, I have been in discussions with key stakeholders within the energy industry, but also within the business, civic, political and association communities. Our goal is to speak with one united voice in urging Congress and the White House to immediately address our financial and economic challenges through bold leadership and longterm, strategic thinking. Make no mistake, our nation is at a crossroads and its future is in peril. We believe concrete steps must be taken to address our fiscal crisis, including: (1) Commit to a 10-year deficit reduction target of at least $4 trillion; (2) Put everything on the table, including fundamental entitlement reform and a thorough review of our regulatory structure; (3) Simplify the tax code, especially taxes that impede global competitiveness; and (4) Create a far-sighted investment strategy for infrastructure, R&D and education. Putting our country’s fiscal house in order is now one of AGA’s priority advocacy goals, and on its behalf I joined with approximately 500 business and association leaders in signing a letter to both the Obama administration and Congress, urging them to formulate a plan to reduce our nation’s long-term debt. Additionally, under my signature, AGA has sent letters to Congress and President Obama pointing out the ruinous effect unsustainable debt will have not only on the natural gas industry, but on the American economy. The stakes are very high, and they call for leadership not just from our politicians, but from every American citizen because it will take a unified effort to meet this unprecedented challenge. But it can be done, and we are fully committed to it. 2 OctOber 2011 AmericAn GAs

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

American Gas - October 2011
Contents
President's Message
In the News
Safety First
To Be the Best
Set to Sell?
2011 Buyers Guide
Marketplace
Places to Be
Noteworthies
Jobline
Advertisers' Index
Facts on Gas

American Gas - October 2011