News from Corporation Commissioner Bob
Anthony Jim Thorpe State Office Building — Phone: (405) 521-2261
____________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Lago
Telephone:
(405)521-2261
7-18-03
With various national forums forecasting potential natural
gas shortages and/or higher prices for the upcoming winter heating season it
becomes increasingly important to take a long-term look at the nation’s energy
picture, explained Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony Friday, July
18, in announcing his acceptance to serve on a special Natural Gas Task Force
being formed by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
(NARUC).
Formation of the Task Force was announced June 26 by
NARUC President David A. Svanda, Michigan commissioner, in response to a
Washington D.C., Natural Gas Summit hosted by U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer
Abraham and the National Petroleum Council (NPC), a federal advisory committee
on energy issues. Massachusetts Commissioner
Robert Keating, chair of NARUC’s Natural Gas Committee and the association’s
designated representative to NPC, will head the new NARUC Task Force.
“I believe formation of this Task Force is highly
appropriate in light of the variety of concerns being raised about America’s
energy future,” Anthony said. “It is
symbolic that we undertake this study as we have just celebrated Independence
Day, because, frankly the nation’s energy independence is not perceived to be
in very good condition at this time and it is most important that we see how
both the perception and the reality can be improved.
“As a major producing state, natural gas remains one
of the brightest spots in Oklahoma’s economic future. It is vital that Oklahoma have a significant voice on the Task
Force. We must communicate the benefits
of natural gas as a reliable, cleaning burning fuel,” he said.
Anthony has served on NARUC’s Natural Gas Committee
since 1989. Sponsored by the U.S.
Department of State, Anthony addressed the February 2003, conference in
Istanbul, Turkey of the Energy Regulatory Regional Association of Eastern
Europe on the subject of the regulatory history and structure of natural gas
transmission systems in America.
On July 2 the Oklahoma Corporation Commission
unveiled a new tool for assisting the state’s consumers in planning their
energy budgets. Called the Oklahoma
Energy Outlook, the forecast combines information from the Commission’s
Oil and Gas and Public Utility divisions to project oil and gas production data
and the effect price changes on future electric and natural gas bills. The Oklahoma Energy Outlook is
incorporated as a section of the Commission’s website at www.occ.state.ok.us.
In announcing formation of the NARUC Task Force
Svanda called it a continuation of the association’s proactive focus on
consumers.
“All policy makers should focus on all consumer
groups—industrial, commercial and residential users—and devise strategies to
address the concerns of each. We are sure that state regulators and this new
Task Force can bring something positive to the table,” Svanda said. “The NPC’s
summit is correctly focused on actions that can be taken immediately to ease
short-term supply concerns. But current
problems only highlight the need for policy makers at all levels to continue
examining longer term issues that can improve the United States energy posture,
including, for example, focusing on the need for additional investments in
infrastructure and considering ways to diversify the nation’s fuel mix.”
Keating said the Task Force joins the effort to
increase consumers’ energy preparedness.
“We must begin the process of educating the public to the potential of higher gas prices this coming winter. I am confident that this Task Force will contribute much as we look for solutions to this nation’s natural gas challenges,” he said.