1. AGA Advocacy Priorities
A discussion on how best to advance AGA’s top advocacy
priorities based on possible election outcomes.

2. AGA Advocacy Priorities
Pipeline Safety: Represent Natural Gas Utility and Customer Interests in the Development of Federal Pipeline Safety Legislation and Regulation
Energy Policy: Secure Recognition of the Benefits of Natural Gas in Federal and State Energy Policy
LIHEAP: Maintain LIHEAP Funding
Natural Gas Supply: Advocate Natural Gas Supply Diversity and Responsible Resource Development
Demand-Side Policies: Advocate Demand-Side Policies that Reflect the Benefits of the Use of Natural Gas
Dividend Taxes: Make Permanent Low Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Levels
Innovative Rate Approaches: Advocate for Innovative Rate Approaches that Promote Natural Gas System Integrity and Efficiency
NARUC Outreach: Represent Natural Gas Utility and Customer Interests before NARUC to Enhance Awareness of Natural Gas Market Conditions and LDC Efforts to Serve Customers
Building and Energy Codes: Advocate Building and Energy Codes, Appliance Standards, and National Policies that Enable the Efficient and Safe Use of Natural Gas in Homes and Buildings
Innovative Rate Approaches: Advocate for Innovative Rate Approaches that Promote Natural Gas Distribution System Expansion
Natural Gas as a Transportation Solution: Advocate Federal Policies that Promote the Development of Natural Gas as a Transportation Solution for Improving Air Quality and Reducing Dependence on Energy Imports
Advocate for Well-Functioning Natural Gas Markets: Advocate before FERC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Congress to Ensure Well-Functioning Natural Gas Markets and the Continued Reliability of Pipeline Service to Bring Natural Gas Supplies to LDC Markets
Decrease Taxes on Utilities: Support Measures that Decrease Taxes on Utilities
Innovative Rate Approaches: Advocate for Innovative Rate Approaches that Align Shareholder and Customer Incentives
Air Regulations: Protect LDC Customers and Prevent Unworkable Burdens on Utility, Commercial and Industrial Operations
Infrastructure Security Issues: Engage with Congress, the Administration and Federal Agencies to Ensure that Federal Policies Address Gas Utility Physical Infrastructure and Cyber Security Concerns
R&D Priorities: Support for Funding of Natural Gas End Use and Infrastructure R&D
Seek Workable Accounting Rules: Work with Other Trade Associations that Represent Network Utilities to Secure Accounting Rules that Do Not Impose Burdens on Utilities by Increasing the Variability of Reported Earnings
Federal Environmental Permits: Promote Innovations that Streamline Federal Environmental Permits for Transmission and Distribution Projects
PCBs and Asbestos Pipe Wrap: Prevent Burdensome Requirements and Obtain Workable Rules

3. Possible Scenarios White House: Obama vs. Romney
The outcome will impact what issues rise to the top of the priority list and how we lobby.

4. Scenario 1 Obama wins and the Senate and House remain the same.
Lame duck?
What gets done?
CR?
Tax/Dividends
EPA regulations

5. Scenario 2
Obama wins, Senate flips and House remains controlled by Republicans.
Lame duck?
Is there any appetite for Republicans to deal?
If so, on what issues?
CR?

6. Scenario 3 Romney wins, Senate and House remain the same. Lame duck?
What gets done?
CR?
Tax/Dividends
EPA regulations

7. Scenario 4 Romney wins, Senate and House are controlled by Rs.
Is there a lame duck?
Do Rs wait?
CR?

8. Looming issue
As you move into 2013, the looming issue will be dealing with the fiscal crisis.
What is the timeline for proposals to start being promulgated?
What might they look like?
Who will be the drivers?

9. Administration What does Obama’s Administration look like?
What does Romney’s Administration look like?
What are their priorities?

10. Business Industry Political Action Committee; www.bipac.net
Senate Snapshot
Possible pick-ups for Republicans
Tier 1: Nebraska, North Dakota
Tier 2: Montana, Missouri, Virginia
Tier 3: New Mexico, Wisconsin, Ohio
Business Industry Political Action Committee;

11. National Governors Association; www.nga.org
State Snapshot
Republicans currently control 31 of 49 state houses and 29 state senates. They enjoy control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office in 22 states.
Democrats hold majorities in 17 state houses and 18 state senates, with complete majorities in 11 states.
National Governors Association;

12. Executive Order on Natural Gas
What does it mean now?
What will it mean post election?

13. Strategy What are the goals for “industry” post election?
Economic growth (fiscal responsibility/tax reform)
Predictability/balanced approach
Preservation of favorable tax treatment
Reasonable LIHEAP appropriation
What are AGA’s member company CEOs saying?
How do AGA’s priorities fit within that context?

14. Where do we go from here? Refining our priorities and next steps:
Do we re-order some of the priorities?
Safety/pipeline expansion/direct use– Always a priority
LIHEAP—grassroots, means test
Dividends/deductibility of interests/bonus depreciation—Long term scenarios
NGVs—price, rates, government action, trends
Cyber security– What? When?
Supply/production

15. Goals Working groups 3 month plan Campaigns for each issue
Congressional, state, local

16. GASPAC What is the definition of “supports the industry”?
What are we trying to accomplish with contributions?
Are we thinking strategically?