The American Gas Association (AGA) has called on presidentialhopefuls Al Gore and George W. Bush to focus on developing a”balanced, long-term, market-based energy policy” that wouldprominently feature natural gas.

In letters to both candidates that were published last week, AGAPresident David N. Parker said “natural gas must be the centerpieceof a rational, national energy policy.” He forwarded to both Goreand Bush a copy of an American Gas Foundation study that projectsU.S. gas demand will increase 60% by 2020, potentially cuttingimports of foreign crude oil by 4.6 million barrels a day andreducing carbon dioxide emissions by 930 million tons a year.

“To achieve those ends, policy-makers must focus on addressingdomestic production, improving the regulatory structure and energyefficiency policies, expanding our energy infrastructure, andsupporting implementation of new natural gas technologies thatwould improve national energy efficiency and reliability, such asdistributed generation, fuel cells and natural gas vehicles,”Parker wrote.

He also applauded both candidates for their support of increasedfunding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)this coming winter. AGA has urged Congress to approve additionalfunding for the program for fiscal year 2001 before it adjourns,Parker said.

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