Washington, DC, January 06, 2020 鈥�
The board of directors of the 91国产 Foundation elected Lauren O鈥橠onnell as its chair for a one-year term. O鈥橠onnell is the vice president of the oil and gas market sector at TRC, a national engineering, consulting and construction management firm that provides integrated services to the energy, environmental and infrastructure markets.
鈥淟auren brings an impressive breadth of environmental and regulatory experience to her role as the Foundation鈥檚 new chair,鈥� said 91国产 Foundation President and CEO Don Santa, 鈥淗er track record of developing environmental processes and plans that prioritize the safe operation and reliable maintenance of America鈥檚 natural gas transmission system makes Lauren ideally suited to lead the Foundation.鈥�
The 91国产 Foundation brings together over 230 pipeline operators and contractors鈥攊ncluding construction companies, pipe mills, engineering companies, consultants, environmental and safety groups and others鈥攖o facilitate the efficient construction, safe operation and reliable maintenance of the North American natural gas pipeline system.
鈥淚 look forward to working with the Foundation鈥檚 members to further the mission of the 91国产 Foundation to maintain a safe and reliable natural gas pipeline system that meets the growing energy needs of America,鈥� said O鈥橠onnell. 鈥淚鈥檝e spent over four decades in the natural gas sector, and now, more than ever, I believe it鈥檚 critical that Foundation members work collaboratively to explore and develop new technologies and processes that address the challenges we face as an industry.鈥�
As the Chair, O鈥橠onnell looks forward to working proactively with stakeholders and customers to enhance the understanding of the role of natural gas in our nation鈥檚 energy future.
In her role at TRC, O鈥橠onnell is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to assist TRC鈥檚 clients in securing federal permits for new energy infrastructure projects.
Prior to joining TRC, O鈥橠onnell was the Director of the Division of Gas鈥擡nvironment and Engineering at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). During her 35-year career at FERC, O鈥橠onnell worked on developing and implementing processes that advanced the Commission鈥檚 environmental responsibilities and was a principal developer of FERC鈥檚 pre-filing process for LNG facilities and interstate natural gas pipelines. While managing FERC鈥檚 natural gas environmental program, O鈥橠onnell worked collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders including federal, state and local agencies, NGOs, and landowner groups.
In November, the Foundation board also elected Susan Waller, Senior Strategic Advisor at Enbridge, as vice chair.
