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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 400 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW |
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City | WASHINGTON |
State | DC |
Zip Code | 20001 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 2445-12
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6. House ID# 310160000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2017 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Michael L. Murray |
Date | 7/17/2017 11:10:31 AM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Judicial review of CFTC regulations and applicable Administrative Procedure Act review
End-User Reform that clarifies that commodity end-users, including gas utilities, are not treated the same as financial entities for the purpose of Dodd-Frank financial recordkeeping rules. More specifically, the legislation clarifies that physical natural gas contracts with delivery optionality (future delivery, etc.) are not treated the same as sophisticated derivatives trading or swaps. Currently, Dodd-Frank treats investment houses who buy and hold commodities for profit and utilities who actually take and use the commodity identically. This creates a pretty large and expensive record-keeping burden on utilities.
Dodd-Frank end-users recordkeeping reform.
H.R.283 - Commodity End-User Relief Act
This legislation would reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Language clarifies that commodity end-users, including gas utilities, are not treated as financial entities for the purpose of Dodd-Frank financial recordkeeping rules. More specifically, the legislation clarifies that physical natural gas contracts with delivery optionality are not treated the same as sophisticated derivatives trading or swaps. The bill also includes AGA supported language that would subject CFTC decision-making to standard administrative procedures and judicial review proceedings. H.R. 283 passed the House in January 2017. The Senate continues work on similar legislation.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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Brian |
Caudill |
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Bree |
Raum |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Labor-HHS Appropriations Legislation
AGA supports adequate funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program is fully authorized at $5.1 billion, however, for the past several years it has not been funded above $3.4 billion. AGA is asking for substantial program support and funding in FY2018.
Advocated for appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies and natural gas vehicles.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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Brian |
Caudill |
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Bree |
Raum |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities in any legislation considered by the House Energy & Commerce Committee and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee regarding energy and climate legislation affecting natural gas utilities, including efficiency mandates and NGV Market Development. These issues arose in all of the following:
S. 1460 - Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (ENRA) - The Senate energy bill includes many provisions that AGA supports, such as:
a provision to repeal of fossil phase-out for federal buildings;
a provision to extend the maximum potential contract period of utility energy service contracts from 10 to 25 years;
a provision to amend contracting authority and reporting in Energy Conservation Policy Act (ECPA) to encourage Federal agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts to implement energy and water conservation measures at Federal buildings;
a provision to revise how DOE modifies the definition of covered products for energy efficiency standards making;
a provision to require DOE to provide an opportunity for public input prior to the issuance of a proposed rule for energy efficiency standard making;
a provision to incentivize automakers to make more natural gas vehicles;
a provision to require DOE to conduct a study of existing rules and procedures relating to interconnection service and identify barriers to the deployment of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Waste Heat to Power (WHP) systems;
a provision to amend and reauthorize the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000.
S. 1180 - Clean Energy Grid Act - would create a competitive grant program to demonstrate the integration of smart grid technologies (such as combined heat and power) open to state and local agencies, public and private institutions, electric and natural gas utilities, and equipment manufacturers.
S. 239 - Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2017 - encourages the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESCs) in federal buildings. Mandatory federal audits already outline energy savings projects for federal facilities aimed at reducing energy consumption and saving tax dollars; however, federal agencies are currently not required to implement these changes. This legislation changes that and would allow projects to be paid for by ESPCs or UESCs. ESPCs and UESCs are innovative public-private partnerships in which private companies use their own money and resources to make energy efficiency upgrades to federal buildings. In exchange for making energy efficient upgrades, those private companies receive a portion of the money saved as a result of the increased efficiency in federal buildings. ESPCs and UESCs create private sector jobs upgrading the federal governments estimated three billion square feet of office space at no real cost to taxpayers.
H.R. 723 - Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2017 - House version of S. 239. (See above)
S. 385 - Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act - also known as the Portman-Shaheen energy efficiency bill. This bill includes a provision that would repeal Section 433, a ban on fossil fuel-generated energy in Federal buildings.
H.R. 1443 - Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act - also known as the McKinley-Welch energy efficiency. This bill is the House champion to S. 385. This bill includes a provision that would repeal Section 433, a ban on fossil fuel-generated energy in Federal buildings.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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Brian |
Caudill |
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Bree |
Raum |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HOM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support cyber and physical security bills that uphold our current security partnership with the Transportation Security Administration public-private partnership (no top-down regulatory process); public-private information sharing; liability protections for information sharing; federal R&D support; and appropriate criminal penalties for bad actors. These issues arose in:
S. 783 Surface and Maritime Transportation Security Act. This legislation would authorize TSA to undergo an internal review of how they perform their security functions (audits, reviews, best practice developments, etc.) on all surface transportation modes, including pipelines, and recommend improvements. Importantly, the legislation ensures that industry will be at the table to help TSA better understand problems in the field and how to partner better with the industry security community. S. 783 passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this year. We anticipate similar legislation will be introduced and moved in the House of Representatives.
H. R. 1224, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Assessment, and Auditing Act of 2017. This legislation initially sought to authorize the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) to conduct audits of both private and public sector adherence to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, a public-private non-regulatory cybersecurity maturity model that measures an entitys current cybersecurity capability.
SAFETY Act Legislation
AGA is pursuing a slight modification to the SAFETY Act, an existing law that provides liability protection in the aftermath of a successful terrorist attack for companies that employ SAFETY Act approved anti-terrorism technologies, policies and procedures. This modification would expand the law to specifically include cybersecurity equipment, policies, procedures, etc. AGA has presented draft legislation to the House and Senate Homeland Security committees.
Hacking Back Legislation.
Legislation that would provide a legal/liability shield for companies that take an active defense posture when fighting cyber intrusions.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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Brian |
Caudill |
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Bree |
Raum |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities regarding pipeline safety legislation and any regulatory regime affecting natural gas utilities. Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives.
Protect the Utility Service Vehicle exemption in SAFETEA-LU
Support incentives for expansion of natural-gas as transportation fuel and fueling stations.
Support incentives for natural gas vehicles.
Advocate for research and development of natural gas vehicle technologies.
Oppose the sale of natural gas by the Kilogram.
Executive Order on U.S. Steel - Informing members of Congress and the Executive Branch on the impacts of U.S. steel to LDCs
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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Brian |
Caudill |
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Bree |
Raum |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support lower rates on taxation of dividends.
Protect the interests of the natural gas industry with respect to any tax reform proposals.
Promote keeping Interest Deductibility in the tax code for LDCs.
Educating Congress regarding impact of tax extenders on LDCs.
Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives.
Tax Credits: The carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions. This issue arose in H.R.1686 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions by regulated public utilities. - to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to increase the carryover period for charitable contributions from 5 years to 20 years. Increasing the 5 year carryover period to 20 years would eliminate the penalty present in current law that is particularly problematic for our companies, which operate in regulated industries and generally make significant annual charitable contributions to community charities in their operating jurisdictions. This issue is more acute for companies in our industries - regulated electric and gas utilities - because we are among the most capital intensive industries in the country. Each year, the electric and gas utilities are spending more than $100 billion in investments to improve system safety and reliability while offering an important source of much-needed, high-quality jobs.
Tax Credits: H.R. 1090 - Technologies for Energy Security Act of 2017- this bill would extend and modify the tax credits for residential energy efficient property and investments in energy property. The bill modifies the 25D tax credit for residential energy efficient property to extend through 2021 the credits for expenditures for fuel cell property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property. The bill also extends the 48C investment tax credit (ITC) for small-wind, geothermal, fuel cells, microturbines and combined heat and power (CHP) technologies for five years. CHP, fuel cells and microturbines use natural gas as an energy source.
Tax Credits: S. 1409 - Technologies for Energy Jobs and Security Act of 2017- this bill would extend and modify the tax credits for residential energy efficient property and investments in energy property. The bill modifies the 25D tax credit for residential energy efficient property to extend through 2021 the credits for expenditures for fuel cell property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property. The bill also extends the 48C investment tax credit (ITC) for small-wind, geothermal, fuel cells, microturbines and combined heat and power (CHP) technologies for five years. CHP, fuel cells and microturbines use natural gas as an energy source.
Tax Parity: S.505 - Waterway LNG Parity Act of 2017. This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the excise tax rate for the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to equal 29 cents per gallon or the per energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel in the case of liquefied natural gas, as defined by this Act. Currently, the fuel tax on liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels is the same as the diesel tax on a per-gallon basis. However, because a gallon of LNG contains less energy than a gallon of diesel, in effect LNG is taxed at 170 percent of the diesel tax rate.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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Brian |
Caudill |
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Bree |
Raum |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Not Applicable for the First Quarter of 2017. The system will not permit AGA to file without adding the name of a lobbyist though there were no contacts made in this general issue area for the First Quarter of 2017.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
George |
Lowe |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address: https://www.aga.org/membercenter/membershipdirectory-links
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
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2 | 4 | 6 |