Congress takes up bills to increase natural gas supplies.(UNITED STATES/AMERICAS)

Separate bills introduced in the House and Senate last week have given industry officials hope that momentum is shifting in favor of legislation that will increase U.S. natural gas supplies--a top priority for chemical makers.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill introduced by Rep. John Peterson (R., PA) to remove a long-standing moratorium on natural gas drilling on most of the country's Outer Continental Shelf last week. The action "represents the first time in 25 years that a Congressional committee has voted to reduce barriers to U.S. natural gas production that is so vital to America's consumers, economy, and jobs," says ACC president and CEO Jack …