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America's Natural Gas

America's Natural Gas - Clean. Reliable. Affordable.

Natural Gas is Abundant and Affordable

Abundant natural gas means we can put it to greater use across our economy while having the confidence it will stay affordable for years to come.

America Has Vast Reserves

Government agencies and independent research institutions have continued to increase their estimates of the amount of gas we have in the United States, and these reserves have dramatically changed the global energy equation. Since the beginning of 2005, natural gas production in the United States has increased 41 percent. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects a 48 percent increase in total natural gas production from 2010 to 2035. This abundance has lead the Energy Information Administration to project stable natural gas prices for years to come.

Abundant Natural Gas Means Stable Prices

Natural Gas Infrastructure Supports Its Increased Use

The U.S. has the most extensive natural gas pipeline system in the world, and this infrastructure can support an increased role for natural gas.

More than 300,000 miles of major intra- and interstate pipelines deliver natural gas to communities across the country. 131 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of pipeline capacity has been added since 2007, and an additional 55 Bcf/d is expected to come on-line by 2018. These capacity additions will ensure that natural gas can reliably reach customers when and where they need it, and they increase the resiliency of our electrical grid as natural gas plays a greater role in our nation's energy mix.

U.S. Pipeline Capacity Additions

Natural Gas Adds Diversity and Reduces Emissions

Natural gas is playing an increasing role in power generation and as a result, America's energy mix is becoming more diverse and cleaner.

As this power shift becomes the "new normal" for American energy, natural gas will play a leading role in providing baseload power generation while maintaining a reliable electrical system. This means natural gas can be relied upon to produce the electricity we need day and night, while also enabling a greater use of intermittent sources of energy such as wind and solar.

As recently as 2005, nearly half (49.6 percent) of electricity generated in our country came from one source - coal. Nuclear and natural gas accounted for less than 20 percent each with renewables making up the rest.

Rise in Natural Gas Use Increases Fuel Diversity

While we still get more electricity from coal than any other source, its share of generation has shrunk. Meanwhile, other sources of electricity are expanding their contributions, resulting in a more diverse energy market. Natural gas has increased by half since 2005, and now accounts for more than a quarter of our energy mix (27 percent). 

This increase in use, means reduced emissions. The leading factor in reduced C02 emissions in the electric sector has been an increased use of natural gas in power generation..

C02 Emission Reductions from Increase Natural Gas Generation

In 2014, researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that the increased use of natural gas combined cycles in power generation has led to 40 percent less NOX emissions and 44 percent less SO2 emissions since 1997.[1] In 2015, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) determined that the greater use of natural gas has reduced overall CO2 emissions in the U.S. by 229 million metric tons of CO2 in 2014 when compared to 2005 levels.[2]

Natural Gas is Good for Manufacturers and Consumers

Natural gas is boosting the competitiveness of American manufacturers, while lowering costs for consumers.

Lower gas prices will boost the competitiveness of American manufacturers by reducing their electricity costs. Harvard Business School finds industrial electricity prices are 30-50 percent lower than our global rivals. This will fuel a manufacturing renaissance and strengthen local economies.

Americans will benefit from lower natural gas prices too. According to IHS, natural gas prices on average would be at least two times higher over the 2010-2035 period if it weren't for the shale revolution. This translates into significant consumer savings from lower gas prices, as well as the associated lower prices for other consumer goods. Between 2012 and 2015, households will gain an additional $926 in disposable income. This amount will increase to more than $2,000 per household in 2035 on an annual basis.


[1] J.A. de Gouw, D.D. Parrish, G.J. Frost and M. Trainer, “Reduced emissions of CO2, NOX and SO2 from U.S. power plants owing to switch from coal to natural gas with combined cycle technology,” Earth’s Future, Volume 2, Issue 2, accessed January 15, 2016, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2013EF000196/pdf

[2] Energy Information Administration, “U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2014,” November 2015, accessed January 15, 2016, http://www.eia.gov/environment/emissions/carbon/

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