Ahead of North American Gas Forum, Energy Dialogues is running a Speaker Q&A Series to bring first-hand content from our speakers to our network…
Ahead of North American Gas Forum, Energy Dialogues is running a Speaker Q&A Series to bring first-hand content from our speakers to our network. Monika Simões, Managing Director of Energy Dialogues recently spoke to Dena Wiggins, President & CEO, Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA). Please read more below:
Energy Dialogues LLC: What do you see as the important economic impacts of the natural gas boom in North America and the positioning opportunity for the USA in the global market?
Dena Wiggins, President & CEO, Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA): Abundant gas from shale has created amazing opportunities for the U.S. on a global scale. Industries that use natural gas as a feedstock have wisely capitalized on the global competitive advantage of the stable supply of natural gas in the U.S. resulting in an industrial renaissance here. In the next five years alone, we project that 66 new major industrial gas-intensive projects and expansions will be built at an investment to build of around $117 billion. In particular, the fertilizer, petro-chemical and steel industries are reaping the rewards, which filter down economy-wide. Jobs and revenues have been created. At the same time, increased switching to natural gas from coal and other fuels has helped the U.S. to bring its carbon emissions down to a 20-year low. And of course, the new abundance of gas has made LNG exports a reality we never would have predicted just a decade ago.
Energy Dialogues LLC: What are your views on the Clean Power Plan and how it will impact the industry?
Dena Wiggins, President & CEO, Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA): The devil is in the details, but our view is that as long as natural gas is allowed to compete with other fuels on a level playing ground, it is positioned to help states meet their clean fuel goals both by replacing fuels with higher emissions and by backstopping variable energy sources such as the solar and wind. Natural gas is today’s environmental solution.
Energy Dialogues LLC: How do you see LNG exports fit into the North American energy picture?
Dena Wiggins, President & CEO, Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA): LNG exports from the United States provide numerous benefits and those benefits extend far beyond the energy industry. Exports can create tens of thousands of American jobs and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, while preserving a competitive advantage for American manufacturers and allowing America to compete on a global level. We still need improvements to the regulatory approval process and we continue to seek greater regulatory certainty for LNG export application.
Energy Dialogues LLC: What do you look forward to at the forum and what is your recommendation for those considering participation in this year’s NAGF?
Dena Wiggins, President & CEO, Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA): The most valuable part of the Forum is always the opportunity to network and make connections with others in the industry. It’s an invaluable exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience.
