Gas industry at a crossroad

The natural gas industry faces another crossroad as the industry copes with deregulation and rapidly escalating prices. Concluding his term as chairman of the American Gas Association, LaBoon reviews how the industry has maneuvered through past crossroads and the evolution of involvement by investors and the government. The solution to current problems, he concludes, is to involve consumers as a fourth party. Cost-cutting measures by the utilities should include operating efficiently, sending conservation information to consumers, monitoring rate cases, and lobbying for legislation dealing with take-or-pay and favored nation provisions. (DCK)