WASHINGTON, D.C. – The first in a series of Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored public education forums on liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been scheduled for Friday, March 10, 2006, at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  This series of forums aims to maintain open lines of communication between government officials and interested citizens, and is scheduled in compliance with the National Energy Policy Act of 2005, enacted by President Bush in August 2005.  

 

“The Department of Energy’s Liquefied Natural Gas forums will initiate constructive dialogue among community members, local, state, and federal government leaders,” Secretary Bodman said.  “This forum is one step, of many, that will help us address and evaluate our energy needs, and increase America’s energy security.”

 

The Energy Information Administration estimates the United States will have to increase imports of LNG by more than 600 percent in the next 25 years to fulfill America’s increasing demand for natural gas. 

 

Joining the Department of Energy in presenting the educational forums will be the U.S. Department of Transportation, U. S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, coastal state governors and professional groups representing regulatory and safety officials. 

 

The Boston forum is open to the public, and registration will be available through the internet or at the Hynes Center on the day of the forum beginning at 8 a.m.  The public may submit questions and comments via the internet, on cards to be provided at the event, or in written form by mail to: 

 

LNG Forums

Attn: Bob Corbin

955 L’Enfant Plaza North, S.W., Suite 1500

Washington, D.C.  20024. 

 

Electronic registration, printed forms and additional details on the forums are available at: http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/oilgas/storage/lng/lng_forums.html

 

Dates and locations of the other forums will be announced as soon as arrangements are completed.