AGA: Natural Gas Utilities Are Delivering Answers to Our Nation’s Energy Challenges
New York, NY – American Gas Association (AGA) Chairman Terry McCallister told an audience at the New York Society of Security Analysts today that natural gas should be the preferred energy source for the United States for decades to come because of our nation’s domestic abundance and the economic, environmental and energy security benefits that this clean energy source provides. Calling natural gas “America’s New Energy Foundation,” he described how natural gas utilities are helping their customers contribute to our nation’s clean and secure energy future.
McCallister recounted the top energy and environmental issues in our nation and outlined how natural gas utilities deliver energy solutions that are affordable and efficient.
“As the country continues to push for even cleaner energy and a more distributed energy model, natural gas utilities are delivering answers to these energy challenges,” McCallister said. “Our companies are built to meet the demands of the 21st century—and beyond—for our employees, our customers, our communities and the nation.”
The direct use of natural gas in America’s homes and businesses for heating, cooling, water heating, cooking and clothes drying achieves 92 percent energy efficiency. When discussing the efficiency of an energy source, you must take into account the full fuel cycle or journey from production to customer. Converting natural gas or any other fossil fuel into electricity to power comparable electric end-use products only maintains 32 percent of usable energy.
Households with natural gas versus all-electric appliances save an average of $693 per year and produce 37 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions.
McCallister continued, “It’s a tremendous time to be in the energy business and in the natural gas business in particular. In my 36-plus years in the industry we’ve never had opportunities like we see now. Natural gas utilities provide an essential service and have a unique ability to improve the world we live in.”
Terry McCallister is chairman and CEO of WGL and Washington Gas, its leading subsidiary, which has provided safe, reliable natural gas service to customers in the Washington, D.C. area for over 165 years. Today, Washington Gas serves more than one million customers in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.