Utility leaders push to expand natural gas

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) offers guidance to local regulators on how they can promote and facilitate natural gas expansion. At NARUC’s recent annual meeting, the group recognized demand from millions of Americans who do not currently have access to the home energy fuel. “It is critically important that regulators be educated about the creative ways utilities are expanding service and delivering the benefits of natural gas to more consumers in underserved and unserved areas,” said Kyle Rogers, American Gas Association’s (AGA’s) vice president of government relations. A NARUC report studied current access, expansion and service extension policies for underserved and unserved areas. The group reviewed barriers and obstacles to access. The report recommends potential mechanisms to address the benefits and opportunities for access and expansion and identifies alternative or unconventional approaches to reaching unserved and underserved areas. Additionally, the report compiled national best practices for natural gas access and expansion.