The energy secretaries joined former U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) and former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) for a bipartisan panel discussion during CERAWeek
(Houston, TX) – Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future and Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) welcomed former U.S. Energy Secretaries Ernest Moniz and Dan Brouillette, along with more than 100 distinguished attendees, to a bipartisan panel discussion in Houston on Wednesday, March 8. The Co-Chairs of Natural Allies, former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and former U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) also participated in the panel. Former U.S. Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry, EQT President and CEO Toby Rice and Williams Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategic Development Chad Zamarin made introductory remarks. The industry’s leading experts shared critical insights on the urgent need to expand natural gas infrastructure to accelerate a clean energy future.
“It’s reassuring to hear respected experts like Ernie Moniz and Dan Brouillette speak pragmatically about the vital role natural gas plays as a key part of our decarbonization system at home and around the globe, while providing stable, reliable energy well into the future,” said former Sen. Mary Landrieu. “One reason why Tim and I are doing this is we think we can help match the dream of a low-carbon future with both the science and a practical economic path forward. We can help the political will in this country to grow, bringing both Democrats and Republicans to the middle to create a durable political policy for our clean energy future.”
Former Congressman Tim Ryan addressed the notion that Democratic leaders may not be in favor of utilizing natural gas to achieve climate targets. “Most of the rank-and-file Democrats are very pragmatic people. The problem is we’re in a political environment today where the extremes are defining the rest,” said Congressman Ryan. “That’s why this effort with Natural Allies and PAGE is so critical because we have an opportunity to bust that narrative.”
Natural Allies and PAGE Coalition are partnering to advance initiatives aimed at expanding natural gas domestically and globally to lower greenhouse gas emissions quickly, while ensuring stable, reliable, and affordable energy. Naomi Boness, Managing Director of the Stanford Natural Gas Initiative (NGI), moderated the conversation highlighting the vital role of the natural gas industry in global decarbonization. Boness holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Stanford, and she leads the Stanford Hydrogen Initiative.
The event took place against the background of CERAWeek, the world’s leading energy conference, that is underway in Houston.
About Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future
Natural Allies is a 501c4 organization that seeks to better inform the public and policy makers about why natural gas is best partnered with renewable power sources to accelerate our clean energy goals. Among the industry leaders supporting Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future are: The Williams Companies, Kinder Morgan, TC Energy, EQT, National Fuel Gas, Enbridge Inc., Quanta Services, Inc., the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Union of Operating Engineers, Pipe Line Contractors Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the INGAA Foundation. To learn more please visit: naturalalliesforcleanenergy.org.
About PAGE Coalition
Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of responsible energy companies, labor unions and leading climate advocates dedicated to promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas. We are driven by a desire to responsibly solve complex global energy and climate problems. PAGE members include EQT, TC Energy, Williams, Enbridge, Inc and Baker Hughes. More information can be found at Partnership to Address Global Emissions.
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