U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Contact: Vaughn Jennings 202.225.2211

Washington, Oct 21, 2009 - Today, Congressman John Sullivan and several members of the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus held a hearing on the importance of natural gas to our nation’s energy portfolio.  The panel welcomed testimony from a wide range of industry and government advocates, including two Oklahomans: energy executive T. Boone Pickens and Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge.  Congressman Sullivan offered the following statement:

 “To meet our nation’s energy needs, we must continue to develop alternative and renewable sources of energy – and natural gas is the bridge fuel towards decreasing our dependence on foreign sources of oil and putting our nation on a path to energy security. I want to thank two great leaders from my home state for being here today to join in this effort- House Speaker Chris Benge spearheaded the effort to create incentives for natural gas vehicles in the Oklahoma state legislature, and T. Boone Pickens who has mobilized millions of Americans through the Pickens plan to promote natural gas and reduce dependence on foreign oil.”

“Natural gas is not just American made energy, its Oklahoma made energy – federal laws and policies promoting natural gas would undoubtedly help our state as we are the third largest natural gas producer in the nation, typically accounting for almost one tenth of the total U.S. production.  Oklahoma is leading the way in natural gas development.”

 “Earlier this year, the House of Representatives took a giant step towards reducing our dependence on foreign oil by passing my landmark bill, H.R. 1622, which promotes the research and development of natural gas vehicles.  However, there is still work to be done and I believe Congress should continue building off this momentum to further incorporate natural gas into our existing energy portfolio by passing  H.R. 1835 the NAT GAS Act.

In addition to sponsoring H.R. 1622, which overwhelmingly passed the House in July of this year, Congressman Sullivan is also the lead Republican sponsor of H.R. 1835, the NAT GAS Act, which would will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign energy while simultaneously reducing transportation fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, and urban pollution where dense vehicular fleets are prevalent.