There's a new boss at the influence group for smaller natural gas companies.

Jim Hackett, chairman and CEO of Anadarko Petroleum Corp., takes over as chairman of America's Natural Gas Alliance, or ANGA.

Hackett becomes chairman as the influence group makes a major push to give natural gas a more prominent role in energy and climate legislation. An alliance of 34 independent natural gas companies, ANGA formed last March because natural gas executives feared climate legislation would disadvantage the fuel compared with competitors. The group beefed up lobbying in the Senate after the House-passed climate bill gave a boost to coal-fired power plants.

The lobbying effort is part of a battle among traditional energy companies. As ANGA fights for natural gas, coal lobbyists push to maintain that fuel's ground in any new climate bill, and larger oil and gas companies lobby to make sure petroleum isn't singled out by penalties on carbon emissions.

Hackett has appeared frequently on cable news shows advocating the relative climate benefits of natural gas. The fuel has about half the carbon emissions of coal.

"As a country, we need to fully utilize this clean-burning, abundant domestic resource that has the potential to create jobs throughout North America, enhance energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and advance a cleaner, lower-carbon energy future in our communities," Hackett said. "I am honored to be selected by my peers to help lead these efforts at what could well be a defining moment for natural gas."

Hackett, Anadarko's top executive since 2003, has more than 30 years in the business. Before working at Anadarko, Hackett was president and chief operating officer of Devon Energy Corp. He has held leadership positions with Duke Energy, PanEnergy, NGC Corp., Burlington Resources and Amoco Oil Co. Hackett also serves as chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, ANGA said in a press release.

Hackett replaces ANGA's first chairman, David Trice, past president and CEO of Newfield Exploration Co. The switch in chairmen is part of a normal succession, said ANGA spokesman Dan Whitten.