WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman joined with Conway Mayor Tab Townsell and company officials to tour Southwestern Energy’s natural gas operations near Conway, Arkansas. During the visit, Poneman highlighted President Obama’s State of the Union address last week, where the President laid out a blueprint for an American economy built to last. Poneman also echoed President Obama’s call for a new era for American energy, including continuing to expand the safe, responsible development of the near 100-year supply of American natural gas, which has the potential to support more than 600,000 U.S. jobs.
“Safe, responsible development of America’s natural gas resources is a major priority for the country - and Arkansas is helping lead the way," Deputy Secretary of Energy Poneman said. “Today, I was able to see firsthand the full range of natural gas development - from drilling to producing to transporting - and the great potential it holds in helping America tap its own plentiful sources of energy and create an economy that’s built to last. I appreciate the role that Southwestern Energy is playing as we work to make the transition to a clean energy economy and create jobs here in Arkansas."
The Deputy Secretary of Energy’s tour of Southwestern Energy’s natural gas operations included a drilling site, producing natural gas wells, a supply yard, and operations center. Conway Mayor Tab Townsell joined the Deputy Secretary at the last site visit, the natural gas production wells, where they both delivered remarks and took questions from reporters.
Southwestern Energy is leading the natural gas industry by using transparent practices and partnering with non-profits and states to develop natural gas policies. Specifically, Southwestern Energy reports its frac fluid composition voluntarily and has worked with other organizations to develop model codes for producing oil and natural gas, providing a valuable resource to state regulators across the country.
Later in the day, Deputy Secretary of Energy Poneman met with business leaders in Little Rock, Arkansas, to discuss ways to continue developing American-made energy resources, including natural gas and renewable energy.
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Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
