Energy Tomorrow Blog
Next On Ozone
ozone standards air quality epa
Mark Green
Posted August 21, 2018
EPA’s recent decision not to revisit 2015 ozone standards suggests a couple of points as the agency looks ahead to its scheduled 2020 review of the ozone air quality standards.
First, it’s imperative that EPA build its 2020 review around quality science – for one, to properly consider background levels of ozone and how they affect where the federal government sets the standards. For some parts of the country the 2015 standards were near levels of background ozone – setting up compliance problems for places such as Yellowstone National Park.
Second, on the road to the 2020 review, there should be discussion of implementation relief – from EPA or directly by Congress legislatively.
Cleaner Fuels, Cleaner Air
Mark Green
Posted August 1, 2018
EPA’s latest air quality report shows the air Americans breathe is cleaner than it has been in more than four decades – with increased use of natural gas and cleaner motor fuels playing leading roles.
Industry is Leading the Push to Cut Emissions
air quality emission reductions natural gas
Jessica Lutz
Posted July 31, 2018
The U.S. natural gas and oil industry is committed to reducing emissions and addressing environmental challenges. Consider:
- Industry’s $108.2 billion in direct spending on greenhouse gas mitigating technologies from 2000-2016 was more than double the investments of each of the next two private industry sectors.
- Methane emissions from natural gas and petroleum systems are down 14 percent since 1990, even as natural gas output increased more than 50 percent over the same period.
- Thanks to increased use of domestic natural gas, the United States leads the world in cutting carbon dioxide, reducing levels to 25-year lows.
These efforts result from industry initiative, not government policy. Companies are demonstrating that meaningful solutions can be achieved through voluntary, collaborative efforts, and the U.S. is breathing easier as a result.
Natural Gas, Benefits, Continuing Progress on Cutting Emissions
natural gas benefits emission reductions methane air quality the-environmental-partnership
Mark Green
Posted June 21, 2018
Let’s make three quick points following release of a new methane emissions report from the Environmental Defense Fund: The paper's findings are consistent with falling emissions; technology, knowledge and industry collaboration are continuing the progress already made in cutting emissions; and a sound, accurate base of information is needed to help build an understanding of where and how more improvements in reducing emissions can be made in the future.
Thanks to Natural Gas
natural gas benefits consumers emission reductions air quality
Jack Gerard
Posted April 25, 2018
There are plenty of statistics out there to measure the scope of U.S. natural gas production. The United States is the No. 1 natural gas producer in the world, producing 78.9 billion cubic feet per day in 2017. Exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) nearly quadrupled in 2017, making the U.S. a net natural gas exporter for the first time in nearly 60 years and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the nation.
The numbers are impressive, but the economic and climate benefits they make possible are even more remarkable. In a new series of short videos, we’ve boiled down the natural gas advantage into five words.
Industry Investments Power Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Environment conservation social-license-to-operate air quality water management reclamation
Kate Lowery
Posted February 22, 2018
Environmental Progress, Technology and Passion
power-past-impossible air quality refineries technology state of american energy
Mark Green
Posted February 15, 2018
Clean Air, Clean Fuel, Can’t Lose
air quality community social-license-to-operate Oil and Gas
Kate Lowery
Posted November 16, 2017
Bring Common Sense, Clarity to Ozone Regulation
air quality ozone standards epa emission reductions
Mark Green
Posted October 20, 2017
The current state of ozone regulation is a mess – and Washington needs to do something about it.
Late in 2015, EPA imposed new standards for ozone air quality, which posed an immediate problem out in the rest of the country because existing, 2008 standards weren’t yet fully implemented. Basically, the states were faced with having to deal with two competing sets of ozone regulations. As we wrote at the time, the 2015 standards weren’t necessary because the 2008 regime already was working and would continue to work toward better air quality.
Today, this confusing, unnecessary situation remains – unnecessary because air quality continues to improve.Oil, Natural Gas as Energies Today and Tomorrow
oil and natural gas energy outlook eia us energy security air quality
Mark Green
Posted September 15, 2017
Putting together three big takeaways from EIA's report, the ongoing U.S. renaissance in natural gas and oil production puts America in a strong position for the future, especially in the context of rising world energy demand. Continued growth in domestic natural gas and oil production offers the U.S. a chance to grow in its energy self-sufficiency.