ANGA Comments on President Obama's NGV Initiatives

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Regina Hopper, President and Chief Executive Officer of America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), on President Obama's comments in Nevada today in support of greater use of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in the U.S.

"ANGA welcomes President Obama's remarks in support of greater utilization of natural gas and the opportunities to advance our nation's environment, economy and energy security. The remarks he made about the benefits of natural gas in transportation, power generation and industrial use are notable in the wake of his prominent comments in Tuesday's State of the Union address.

"Building out our natural gas transportation infrastructure, developing natural gas vehicles and promoting the use of natural gas for fleets are all things that ANGA members, other major U.S. companies and local and state leaders across the country have been doing enthusiastically. We agree that there is a tremendous opportunity to increase the number of clean natural gas vehicles on our highways. We applaud companies like UPS, AT&T, Verizon and others that are driving change by embracing this affordable, domestic energy source for their transportation fleets. And we support greater NGV use in federal fleets.

"These vehicles can improve the environment through lower emissions of smog-forming NOx compounds, particulate matter and VOCs. And because natural gas vehicles can be fueled for a third cheaper than other vehicles, switching to this domestic fuel makes sense for companies, municipal transportation fleets, and ultimately vehicle owners.

"We agree with the president that American natural gas can play a pivotal role in our national security and in our economy. For this reason it is a fuel that has great bipartisan appeal. Using American natural gas to meet more of our transportation needs makes us less reliant on countries that do not have our best interests in mind.

"Safe and responsible development of domestic natural gas can grow American manufacturing, jumpstart our economy and create well-paying U.S. jobs for decades to come. We are pleased to see the president recognize and seek to encourage our nation to take full advantage of the many benefits responsible development this resource offers."

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) represents 30 of North America's leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies. ANGA members are dedicated to increasing the appreciation of the environmental, economic and national security benefits of clean, abundant, American natural gas. Learn more about ANGA at www.anga.us.

SOURCE America's Natural Gas Alliance