A new coalition is forming to establish a “Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas,” which will be pursuing both supply and demand side solutions to the problem of increasing natural gas prices, according to spokesman Rob Marvin with Ogilvy & Mather.

The “emerging coalition” includes members of the petrochemical, plastics and paper industries, as well as farm interests and other consumer advocacy interests, Marvin said. There are plans to begin issuing press releases later this year and early next year, attacking the problem of high natural gas prices. According to an “informal” survey by the group, proposals to hike gas rates are pending before 35 state commissions.

Questioned as to what types of initiatives the coalition might pursue, Marvin noted that while industrials have become much more efficient in their energy use, others, such as the power industry, which has a high rate of line loss, do not use power as efficiently.

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