(PRLEAP.COM) SACRAMENTO March 8, 2006 — With state agencies forecasting a continuing surge in population growth and a consequent increase in demand for energy, a statewide coalition today said an upcoming state senate hearing will provide a timely look at how liquefied natural gas (LNG) can help meet that demand.
The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee on Tuesday will hold an informational hearing on natural gas supply and pricing issues.
Californians for Clean Affordable Safe Energy (Cal-CASE) is urging the state to take advantage of the availability of LNG to bring stability to energy costs.
“Recent state reports have predicted 6 million new Californians this decade and a continuing annual 2 percent increase in energy demand,” said Jesus Arredondo, executive director of Cal-CASE which includes business, taxpayer, agriculture, local government, consumer and senior organizations.
“At the same time, California is only producing 13 percent of the natural gas we consume and those sources are dwindling. LNG can help close that gap and bring downward pressure on energy prices.”

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LNG is natural gas that has been supercooled so it can be transported in specially equipped tankers. California must permit the construction of terminals where the LNG can be returned to its gaseous state and then distributed through the existing natural gas pipeline system.
“It is our hope that the senators will see LNG as a way to also stabilize electricity prices since almost all of our new generating plants are being fueled with natural gas,” said Arredondo.
More information is available at www.casefornaturalgas.org
Cal-CASE coalition members include the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR), California Chamber of Commerce, California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance, California Farm Bureau Federation, The Seniors Coalition, California Small Business Ass’n, California Restaurant Ass’n, California State Ass’n of Counties and Consumers First.
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