By Susan Waller, Executive Director, Natural Allies

Energy industry leaders and experts from around the world gathered in Houston for CERAWeek 2025 – and Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future was front and center, driving critical conversations about the role of natural gas and clean energy infrastructure in accelerating the transition to a lower-carbon future, while meeting the growing energy demand for data centers.

Through a dinner event co-hosted with the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE), as well as a breakfast event with PAGE, Natural Allies provided a platform for collaborative dialogue about the solutions needed to deliver reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy across the globe. 

Natural Allies Leadership Council Co-Chairs, former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), participated in events throughout the week, promoting a balanced, all-of-the-above energy strategy that protects affordability and reliability for American families and businesses while driving down global carbon emissions.

March 10, 2025: Natural Allies Dinner Event  

Over 100 leaders from across the energy industry came together for an exclusive dinner hosted by Natural Allies, PAGE, and ACP. The event provided a unique forum for industry executives and energy experts to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of U.S. energy. These included representatives from natural gas, wind and solar, battery storage, manufacturing, new technologies, hyperscalers,  and more.

Alan Armstrong, President and CEO of Williams, speaks to group at the American Clean Power Association (ACP) Natural Allies for Clean Energy, and the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) dinner on Monday, March 10.

March 12, 2025: Breakfast Fireside Chat and – “Energy Realism, Climate Pragmatism, and Practical Politics” Panel  

The breakfast session, hosted by Natural Allies and PAGE, focused on the critical role natural gas plays in providing Americans the low-cost energy they need to maintain a thriving economy nationwide. Industry leaders and related associations shared their ongoing commitment to emissions reduction and insights on the importance of natural gas as a pragmatic, reliable and affordable solution.

Lane Wilson, President of Natural Allies, and Chris Treanor, Executive Director of PAGE, welcomed guests to the event before Dr. Scott Tinker of the Switch Energy Alliance kicked off a CEO fireside chat. 

Dr. Tinker led a dynamic discussion with Alan Armstrong, President and CEO of Williams, and Toby Rice, President and CEO of EQT Corporation. Armstrong and Rice spoke about their roles in championing Natural Allies and PAGE, which bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates to promote pragmatic, fact-based solutions to global energy and climate challenges. 

Armstrong highlighted how Natural Allies developed a new narrative in the public consciousness and is fundamentally changing the conversation related to natural gas. Rice shared how PAGE aims 

to emphasize the bipartisan and international consensus that natural gas plays a key role in the energy transition along with additional low-carbon energy sources.

From left to right: Toby Rice, President and CEO of EQT Corporation;  Scott Tinker of the Switch Energy Alliance;  and Alan Armstrong, President and CEO of Williams.

After the fireside chat, the conversation continued with a panel discussion featuring industry leaders, including: Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Enbridge;  Jason Grumet, CEO, American Clean Power Association; Jay Timmons, CEO, National Association of Manufacturers and Jim Kerr, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Southern Company Gas. Led by Tisha Schuller,  Founder and CEO of Adamantine Energy, the panel brought diverse perspectives on energy demand and AI, modernizing energy infrastructure, and keeping energy affordable.

From left to right: Tisha Schuller,  Founder and CEO of Adamantine Energy; Jay Timmons, CEO, National Association of Manufacturers;  Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Enbridge;  Jason Grumet, CEO, American Clean Power Association; and Jim Kerr, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Southern Company Gas.

Our Co-Chairs, Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Tim Ryan, also shared their perspectives on the importance of natural gas as a pragmatic, reliable and affordable solution to today’s climate challenges and the need for permitting reform to meet growing global energy demand.

Innovation Agora Pod on Energy Equity: “Reducing Energy Cost Burdens Through Pragmatic Policymaking”

At CERAWeek’s Innovation Agora Pod Sessions, Natural Allies partnered with Neel Brown of the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and Ralph Cleveland of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), to highlight a new report focusing on the vital role natural gas plays in affordability, particularly for vulnerable communities. The Agora Pod discussion underscored report findings that show households with the highest energy cost burdens are disproportionately located in communities of color. To read the full PPI report, click here.

Ralph Cleveland (on left) and Neel Brown (on right)  discuss the energy transition and the need to expand existing energy sources, specifically natural gas infrastructure, to meet the increasing energy demand, lower emissions, and ensure accessibility, affordability and equity for Black and Brown Americans.

Looking Ahead

CERAWeek 2025 provided a great opportunity for Natural Allies leadership to engage directly with the world’s leading voices on energy and climate. Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future reaffirmed the importance of pragmatic, collaborative solutions to address the urgent energy challenges facing the United States and the world today.

Throughout the week’s events, one message was clear: the way to achieve meaningful emissions reductions while ensuring affordable, reliable energy is to support and expand America’s natural gas infrastructure.

As Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future looks ahead, the Leadership Council and members will continue working with energy leaders, policymakers on both sides of the aisle, and trusted partners like PAGE and ACP to advocate for common-sense energy solutions. Natural Allies is helping to shape a balanced, achievable pathway to a cleaner energy future that meets the energy needs of today and the future.