Archie's Corner

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rpt- may effect your TAA play,

Monday February 18, 12:06 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: American Gas Association
American Gas Association Commends Sen. Baucus for Promoting Economic Growth And Environmental Protection in Montana, U.S. Through Tax Incentives
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has exerted strong leadership in ensuring that residential and business customers have adequate, affordable supplies of energy while enhancing the efficient use of energy, the American Gas Association (AGA) said today.

``As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Baucus has recognized that tax incentives can play a major role in balancing the adequacy and reliability of energy supplies with promotion of conservation,'' said David N. Parker, AGA president and CEO. ``Energy is vital to the creation of good- paying jobs and to the continued economic growth of Montana and the nation.''

Yesterday, Sen. Baucus achieved approval by the Senate Finance Committee of a package of tax incentives focused on the supply, delivery and use of natural gas, other fossil fuels and a wide range of renewable energy sources.


Some of the natural gas-related tax provisions in this package would:

* promote increased supplies of natural gas, which will help keep
customers' bills down;
* expand natural gas utility systems through faster depreciation of new
investments, thus helping more homes and businesses get the energy
supplies they need;
* encourage customers to generate their own reliable electricity -- right
in their homes or businesses -- with natural gas fuel cells and
combined heat and power systems; and
* improve air quality in urban and suburban areas through tax credits
designed to boost the use of vehicles fueled with natural gas and other
clean fuels.


AGA's member companies include Cut Bank Gas, ENERGY WEST, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Montana Power. The American Gas Association represents 187 local energy utility companies that deliver natural gas to more than 52 million homes, businesses and industries throughout the United States. Natural gas meets one-fourth of the United States' energy needs and is the fastest growing major energy source.

SOURCE: American Gas Association