American Gas Association - Current Events

Current Events

In September 2011, Dave McCurdy the President and CEO of the American Gas Association has expressed optimism towards the growth of energy sources in the near future. AGA’s President argues how the United States current energy policy is divorced from the economic reality that natural gas has a good chance of competing in the marketplace if the United States is willing to navigate awau from dependence on foregin oil. McCurdy has remained optimistic by speculating that consumer demand will increase during the next few years.

McCurdy suggests that one of the main economic issues in the United States concerns its addiction to foreign oil. The President of the American Gas Association has developed a few proposals to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. McCurdy mentions how the discovery of natural gas in the Marcellus State region from upstate New York to Kentucky can transform into a future foundation site for American energy. The AGA President presented the idea that switching millions of tractor trailers to natural gas would have play a substantial role not only in reducing the amount of foreign oil consumed by America but would ultimately reduce the production carbon emissions which contributes to global warming.

McCurdy also argues drilling in some Marcellus states have had revitalized dying towns while keeping the unemployment rate below the national average. McCurdy has been criticized for his proposal requiring the acquisition of natural gas because of the possibility of hydraulic fracturing leading to polluted water supplies. Despite, the long-term issues of McCurdy’s proposals, at the state level the short-term benefits are replaced by the realization that natural gas is not only an alternative solution to foreign oil but can also contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs. The AGA President also explains methods on how to meet the Obama administration’s goal of the development electric vehicles by 2025 by suggesting that the U.S. capitial on natural gas and the development of infrastructure investments.While the American Gas Association believes that natural gas is considered a necessity in the United States they also believe that the fuel-economy requirements of the country cannot be meet without the production of natural gas.