Energy Tomorrow Blog
America’s Energy Future Can Unite Us All
us energy oil and natural gas us energy security economic growth
Mike Sommers
Posted January 24, 2020
Remarks delivered Jan. 23 at the U.S. Energy Association’s “State of the Energy Industry” forum.
From President Carter to President Trump, 40-plus years packs in plenty of different ideologies, but all seven leaders shared a common goal: energy security for America. Each of those presidents knew that clean, affordable, and reliable American energy is essential to both economic growth and national security.
For decades, U.S. energy policy has focused on reducing our dependence on foreign natural gas and oil. The outlook was often pessimistic, defined by scarcity rather than surplus. Times have changed, thanks to a U.S. energy revolution that’s full speed ahead.
SOAE 2020: This is Aurora
colorado economic growth oil and natural gas development
Mark Green
Posted January 24, 2020
There might not be a better example of the broad, empowering effects of abundant U.S. natural gas and oil than Aurora, Colorado. The city has emerged from Denver’s shadow on the strength of more than a dozen thriving business sectors – with energy underlying growth. It’s why API’s 2020 State of American Energy report profiled Aurora and six other communities to show how natural gas and oil are fundamental to economic expansion, job creation and rising opportunity across the U.S.
Kevin Hougen, Aurora Chamber of Commerce president, describes the city as diverse culturally and in industry, which is attracting new people from a range of career paths, from bio-science and healthcare to cybersecurity, aerospace and the military.
Energy Export Growth Hinges on Further Progress in U.S.-China Trade Talks
Jessica Lutz
Posted January 23, 2020
The phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China is a step in the right direction for U.S. energy, increasing market stability and setting the stage for future negotiations. However, much more still needs to be done to restore U.S. energy export growth to China and repair damage brought on by the lengthy dispute – points made by API’s Aaron Padilla, senior advisor for international policy, in a Wall Street Journal interview earlier this week.
SOAE 2020: This is Red Wing
minnesota american energy oil and natural gas development
Sam Winstel
Posted January 22, 2020
American energy abundance has been foundational to growth and opportunity across all business sectors – from agriculture and manufacturing, to logistics and banking. The natural gas and oil industry, and its extensive supply chain, supports job creation and consumer savings in U.S. communities like Red Wing, Minnesota.
API’s State of American Energy report spotlighted Southeastern Minnesota, where residents are experiencing the unique benefits of the U.S. energy revolution.SOAE 2020: This is Las Cruces
economic growth new mexico oil and natural gas development
Mark Green
Posted January 17, 2020
API’s State of American Energy report is focused on the growth and empowerment that natural gas and oil provide to communities across the United States. Las Cruces, New Mexico, is one of them. Thanks to abundant, affordable energy, cities and towns like Las Cruces are on the move, with opportunity expanding before them.
Family Budgets, Home Heating and the Environmental Benefit of Natural Gas
natural gas heat consumers renewable energy
John D. Siciliano
Posted January 16, 2020
Natural gas can’t be beat when it comes to its superior performance in heating a home, especially when compared to heat pumps and other appliances that rely solely on electricity.
Natural gas-powered appliances are both more cost-effective and environmentally friendly for homeowners when compared to their all-electric counterparts, according to consumer studies and government reports.
So, why are some groups campaigning to ban homeowners from using natural gas in favor of these more expensive alternatives?
Affordable Natural Gas & U.S. Emissions Reductions
natural gas emission reductions electricity coal
Sam Winstel
Posted January 15, 2020
Over the past decade, coal-to-natural gas switching in power generation has driven domestic emissions reductions, positioning America at the leading edge of climate and air quality progress. And last year, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions fell by 2.1% – almost entirely due to a decline in coal consumption, according to new analysis from the Rhodium Group.
The increase of cleaner-burning natural gas in electricity production accounts for much of this positive development, as natural gas emits about half the carbon compared to coal combustion. In 2019, coal-fired power generation fell by an estimated 18%, the largest year-on-year decline on record, and related emissions dropped by 190 million metric tons – equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by nearly 250 million acres of U.S. forests in one year.
SOAE 2020: This is Moon Township
pennsylvania american energy oil and natural gas development
Sam Winstel
Posted January 14, 2020
America’s natural gas and oil revolution has benefitted cities across the nation by fueling manufacturing, boosting agriculture and growing local economies. Case in point: Moon Township – located northwest of Pittsburgh – which was highlighted in API’s annual State of American Energy report for its thriving small business community.
Energy development in the Marcellus Shale has restored the economy of Western Pennsylvania, creating good-paying jobs that helped residents weather the recession during the first decade of the 21st century.
Pushing Back Against the 'American Recession Platform'
hydraullic fracturing fracking economic losses oil and natural gas production
Dean Foreman
Posted January 10, 2020
API’s new State of American Energy report illustrates how abundant U.S. natural gas and oil is empowering economic growth and opportunity across the country – and the potential harm to these benefits if fracking is banned, as some presidential candidates have promised to do.
The Washington Post’s Dino Grandoni has an analysis taking exception to the latter point, that banning hydraulic fracturing – the technology most responsible for launching the U.S. energy revolution – would seriously damage the U.S. economy, raise energy costs for American consumers and could likely trigger a recession at home and harm the global economy.
As an economist I would argue that an economic study isn’t needed to validate API’s point about a fracking ban. History shows what would happen if natural gas and oil production from the world’s leading producer was undercut by a fracking ban. According to independent studies, a sudden and enduring return to oil with triple-digit prices is the likely risk.
SOAE 2020: This is Virginia Beach
virginia american energy oil and natural gas development
Sam Winstel
Posted January 10, 2020
The economic benefits of the nation’s energy revolution – empowering broad sector growth and opportunity – are tangible all across the United States, and are illustrated in API’s new annual report, “This is Energy Progress.”
Virginia’s Hampton Roads region is just one example, where households, businesses and military installations are helped by abundant domestic natural gas and oil. While Virginia isn’t a top producing state, plentiful and low-cost energy resources empower the shipping and tourism economy and strengthen the armed forces that are so visible locally.