The path to the United States' energy future requires the continued utilization of community-owned natural gas infrastructure and its workforce JCE President & CEO Mike Casper said in his opening statement for testimony before the House Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security at a hearing on May 22.

Casper was invited to participate in the hearing and offer the perspective of community-owned gas systems on the efforts at various levels of government to take away consumer choice and force costly fuel switching.

At the federal level, the Department of Energy's proposed appliance efficiency standards limit consumer choice -- disproportionately harming low- and middle-income families who value gas-fired appliances for their affordability.

In his remarks Casper noted, "Americans deserve the right to choose the appliances they want, especially when . . . the natural gas used to fuel them is expected to reach its lowest price since 1977 next year, after adjusting for inflation."

Families and businesses are best suited to determine what energy source fits their unique needs, he said.

View the hearing recording on the U.S. House Energy & Commerce's YouTube channel.