American Gas Association offers policy recommendations to Senate Committee. (News).

WASHINGNTON, DC -- The American Gas Association (AGA), testifying before a U. S. Senate Energy Committee hearing on gas supply and prices on February 25, urged Congress to "revaluate current restrictions on access to new sources of natural gas supply in light of technological improvements that have made natural gas exploration and production more environmentally sensitive."

The AGA testimony included a number of recommendations, many revolving around environmental restrictions that the association feels limit development of new natural gas supplies. "Federal and state officials must take the lead in overcoming the pervasive 'not in my backyard' attitude toward energy infrastructure development, including gas production," the AGA said.

Other recommendations included:

* Economic viability must be considered along with environmental and technology standards in an effort to develop a "least impact" approach to exploration and development but not a "zero impact."

* Tax provisions such as percentage depletion, expensing geological and geophysical costs in the year incurred, ...