Feb 25, 2011 Natural Gas Council Offers to Work with NERC to Prevent Future Power and Supply Disruptions
Encourages Recognition of Interdependence of Natural Gas and Power Grid
Washington, DC – Leaders of the Natural Gas Council (NGC) yesterday wrote to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to express interest in working with NERC and others to understand what transpired in the power sector during a recent unprecedented cold snap in the southwestern United States and to take steps to minimize such serious impacts in the future. The NGC encouraged NERC to recognize the growing interdependence between natural gas and the power grid.
Independent Petroleum Association of America President and CEO Barry Russell, on behalf of the NGC, said, “The natural gas industry and NERC worked together in the ’90s on interdependency issues, and it is good for us to occasionally revisit that topic and assure we are communicating with each other sufficiently.”
Earlier this month, the delivery of power from natural gas, coal and wind was disrupted in Texas and parts of the southwestern United States due to an unprecedented cold snap, which greatly increased the heating demand for natural gas and electricity. The NGC pledged to work with NERC, as well as other key energy stakeholders, to seek ways to mitigate such power disruptions going forward, not just in Texas but throughout the country.
The Natural Gas Council collectively represents nearly all companies that produce, transport and distribute natural gas consumed in the United States. It includes members of the American Gas Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and the Natural Gas Supply Association.
To view the full letter, click here.
