CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A veteran of the natural gas industry has been tabbed to head up the organization which represents the industry for the time being. The West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association recently named Steve Perdue as the interim Executive Director following the untimely death of longtime director Corky Demarco.
“Corky served the association for 14 years and did a tremendous job,” said Perdue. “It’s a great loss for us and we’re all saddened by his untimely passing.”
Perdue takes the reins of the organization at an important time for the industry. Natural Gas prices have been low in recent months, but most observers believe the industry is on the verge of a rebound. Perdue agreed and said there was no time to waste in getting the infrastructure in place for the state’s industry to capitalize on the anticipated increases.
“The pipeline projects on the drawing board and moving forward and lots of programs like that we need to focus on,” he said. “Getting these pipelines built to move the gas out of West Virginia into these other markets, the export of natural gas, and as the price rebounds there will be new drilling, that’s what really drives the industry.”
New drilling for deep deposits of gas will require fracking. The practice, although never officially declared an environmental danger by the EPA, is not looked upon favorably by environmental protection groups. Perdue said it’s their job to make sure those not associated with the industry understand what the practice involves.
“It is an important component of natural gas and it’s important we protect it,” said Perdue. “It’s important to educate the public about fracking and how the environment is protected.”
Perdue will serve in the interim role of the association and deal with day to day management issues as well as guiding the industry’s public policy arm. A national search for Demarco’s permanent replacement is underway.