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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 | 2019 |
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 | 1/22/2020 8:19:42 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 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. Thus far this year the House has passed its version of the FY20 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill which would set LIHEAP funding at $3.84 billion,
$150 million more than FY19. In contrast, the Senate has not moved Labor-HHS legislation, however, a recent draft indicates that their LIHEAP funding target will be
$3.69 billion, the same funding as last year.
Energy, Water & Related Agencies Legislation
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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Kristen |
Rager |
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U.S. Sen. Comm., Energy and Natural Resources, Professional Staff Member, Mar 2014-Feb 2015; U.S. Sen Mary Landrieu, Asst to the Legislative Director, Jun 2011-March 20; U.S. Sen Mary Landrieu, Staff Assistant/Tour Coordinator, May 2010-May 2011. |
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:
H.R. 2043 - Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Act (HOMES)
This measure would create incentives to invest in energy efficiency improvements. Specifically, if enacted, the legislation would allow homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements to receive the following rebates if they meet the specified energy savings targets:
oFor a retrofit which achieves 20-40% energy savings - $2,500
oFor a deep retrofit which achieves 40% or more energy savings - $5,000
AGA is working to ensure that the measure does not have the unintended consequence of promoting fuel switching from natural gas to electric end-use applications.
Repeal of Section 433
AGA continues to advocate for the repeal of Section 433 which provides for the elimination of the use of fossil fuels in federal buildings. Vehicles include S. 1245, and H.R. 2664, bills to improve energy performance in Federal buildings and for other purposes. S. 2137, a bill to promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry, and for other purposes. (Sens. Portman, R OH/Shaheen, D-NH)
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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Kristen |
Rager |
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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.
Last Summer, the House Homeland Security Committee passed the Pipeline Security Act (H.R. 3699), a bill that would codify elements of the Transportation Security Administrations pipeline security program. AGA supported this legislation as a positive step in bolstering TSAs pipeline security programming and capability.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently passed the Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (H.R. 370), Originally introduced last Congress, H.R. 370 would create DOE pipeline security coordination (physical and cybersecurity) programs related to security planning, response/recovery activities, technology advancement, and workforce development. Overall, the legislation appears to stand up some basic pipeline security programming at DOEs Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response.
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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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
Pipeline Safety Reauthorization. Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities in legislation addressing natural gas pipeline safety and the reauthorization of the Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Commerce Committee have draft pipeline safety reauthorization legislation pending.
These issues came up:
o PIPES Act of 2019. On July 31st, the Senate Commerce Committee passed by voice-vote (Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) was recorded as a no) the Pipes Act of 2019 (S. 2299), the Senate version of pipeline safety reauthorization legislation.
Natural Gas Vehicles. Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market.
o Protect the Utility Service Vehicle exemption in SAFETEA-LU
o Support incentives for expansion of natural-gas as transportation fuel and fueling stations.
o Support incentives for natural gas vehicles.
o Advocate for research and development of natural gas vehicle technologies.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
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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Christina |
Sames |
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Sonal |
Patni |
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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 Extenders: Congress is currently seeking to renew and extend tax provisions that have expired or are set to expire. Two of these expired provisions provide incentives for the purchase of high efficiency natural gas equipment. The third extends the tax credit supporting natural gas vehicles.
o25(C) provides a tax credit for upgrading to high efficiency natural gas appliances in residential properties
o179(D) provides a tax deduction for energy efficiency improvements in commercial properties.
oThis issue arose in: S 617, Tax Extender and Disaster Relief Act of 2019
* Alternative Fuels Tax Credit (AFTC) was extended for calendar year 2018, 2019 and 2020 for $.50/gallon on H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act under Section Q.
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, and 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.
* S. 2542, The Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship Act of 2019, was introduced on September 24, 2019 by Senator Sherrod Brown. This bill allows energy tax credits through 2021 for investments in qualified biogas property or qualified manure resource recovery property.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Treasury - Dept of
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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Kristen |
Rager |
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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
Climate Change - Climate change has generated a tremendous amount of discussion in Congress during the 4th quarter. AGA continues to promote the role of natural gas in the climate discussion by educating Members of Congress and their staff on its benefits and ability to reduce carbon emissions over time.
Clean Water Act - Guidance on Section 401 - The streamlining of the 401 certification process in accordance with Executive Order 13868 allows for the protection of Americans water quality and greater investment in national infrastructure projects. Clearing the way for the development of these infrastructure projects will allow for more natural gas pipelines and greater access to natural gas for Americans.
S. 1602, a bill to amend the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for grid-scale energy storage systems, and for other purposes. (Sen. Collins, R-ME). AGA is working to include gas as a storage option.
S. 2300, a bill to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to establish a program to incentivize innovation and to enhance the industrial competitiveness of the United States by developing technologies to reduce emissions of nonpower industrial sectors, and for other purposes. (Sen. Whitehouse, D-RI). AGA is working to support because of the positive language for natural gas. Also trying to get a Utility or representative on the Board.
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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Kristen |
Rager |
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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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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/about/membership/our-members/
Name | Address |
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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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Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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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 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |