Voice of America, June 10, 2003

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is warning that the United States must increase its capacity to import natural gas to avoid continued price hikes.

The central bank chief told Congress Tuesday that natural gas prices are almost twice as high as they were a year ago and will continue to rise if imports aren't increased.

Mr. Greenspan said shipping liquefied natural gas has become safer in recent years. He said prices will stabilize if imports increase, creating a better environment for a rise in investment in the environmentally-safer energy source.

Natural gas is an alternative energy source to oil.