Paula Gant, currently the American Gas Association’s senior vice-president for policy and planning, was appointed deputy assistant US energy secretary for oil and gas. Her selection was announced with that of Julio Friedman, who will hold a similar position for clean coal.
During her 7 years at AGA, Gant worked on federal and state regulatory issues for the trade association and the natural gas utilities which are its members. “In her new role, Paula’s ability to engage diverse interests around a common purpose will no doubt serve the Obama administration well,” AGA Pres. David K. McCurdy said.
Before joining AGA, Gant worked for Duke Energy as vice-president of government affairs and energy policy for Duke Energy Gas Transmission.
Mark Brownstein, associate vice-president and chief counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund’s US Climate and Energy Program, applauded Gant’s selection. “She fully understands that we cannot have a secure energy future if we do not protect the environment, and we are confident in her abilities to meet the challenges ahead,” he observed.
Friedman has more than 15 years’ experience on a broad spectrum of energy issues, most recently focusing on carbon capture, utilization and sequestration and fossil energy conversion, according to the US Department of Energy’s Fossil Energy Office, which announced the appointments on Aug. 27.
Friedman was chief energy technologist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, coordinating and managing its energy programs, FEO said.
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