Place greater reliance on the potential contribution that domestic and international natural gas resources can make to the U.S. energy future.

Omit support for the mandated use of any specific fuel.

The Association agreed with many of the Draft CNES's goals but suggested that failure to acknowledge the nation's robust natural gas resources may lead to policies that promote more "energy diversity" than is needed. Under-valuation of natural gas may also skew federal funding toward the development of environmentally questionable, expensive, and/or inefficient energy technologies, including biomass liquid fuels.

NGSA also requested removal of a reference in the Draft to the renewables energy portfolio standard, a mandate for the use of renewables that, according to the DoE's Energy Information Administration, could reduce natural gas growth opportunities while decreasing air emissions only marginally, at a high cost to consumers.

The CNES is one of a series of energy strategies that the President is required to submit to Congress. NGSA's complete comments and cover letter (6 pages) are available by calling 202/326-9300, or by clicking here.

This page was last updated March 2, 1998.