World Leaders: Natural Gas Essential to the Future Energy Mix

Sam Winstel
Posted June 25, 2021

America’s natural gas and oil industry is committed to delivering access to affordable, reliable energy to power modern life and empower emerging economies around the world. At the same time, API supports the ambitions of the Paris climate agreement – our member companies are building a lower-carbon future with cleaner energy options for businesses and consumers.

Over the past decade, our abundant natural gas resources have contributed to meaningful emissions reductions in the U.S. power sector, which has been the primary source of demand growth for the fuel. The availability of low-cost natural gas – and our growing capacity to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) – presents the unique opportunity for America to help nations around the world achieve ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and carbon-neutral commitments by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting economic development.

This week, officials from countries as diverse as Japan, Norway and Vietnam, along with energy sector experts from previous U.S. administrations and academia, underscored the importance of natural gas during a forum focused on the global energy transition. Here’s what they said:

The Hon. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy (2013-2017):

“[While] there has often been statements about gas and renewables, as somehow competitors, I would argue that it was natural gas that was the enabler for a major expansion of renewables because gas is what primarily has had the flexibility to balance those variable resources.”

The Hon. Dan Brouillette, Former U.S. Secretary of Energy (2019-2021):

“The demand in emerging economies around the world is simply astounding. It's important we provide that marketplace with U.S.-produced natural gas because we are the cleanest producer in the world.”

Mr. Ejima Kiyoshi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan:

“Ensuring energy excess and the stable supply for energy are significant challenges for energy transitions. There are concerns in Asian countries over whether they will be able to meet growing energy demand mainly with renewable energy and over the increasing public financial burden of [renewable energy].”

“Low-carbon energy, including natural gas, is a stepping-stone for us to move fully to renewable energy in the future. In recent years, natural gas power has become an integral part of Vietnam’s energy structure. Vietnam’s output of natural gas will not meet our demands. Therefore, Vietnam has plans to import LNG.”

H.E. Anniken Ramberg Krutnes, Ambassador of Norway to the United States:

“Our gas have traditionally gone through these pipelines. They work excellently. They’ve been there for decades. And that’s the way we power Europe.”

Dr. Vijaya Ramachandran, Director for Energy and Development, The Breakthrough Institute:

“Africa sits on 600 trillion feet of natural gas, and this is why it is vital to its development. It is vital to its food. It is vital to its transportation fuels. It is important for other sources of its infrastructure development.”

Additionally, Secretary Moniz highlighted the geopolitical and national security benefits of expanding U.S. LNG exports, which have also been key to emissions reductions in major economies, including China, Germany and India.

The Hon. Ernest Moniz, Former U.S. Secretary of Energy (2013-2017):

“Rebuilding alliances includes listening to and hearing and acting upon our allies’ concerns as they make their energy transitions. And that means LNG…The major customers for our LNG exports are OECD countries. And there is a consistent concern that the LNG exports which they depend on so much for their energy security, they’re concerned about what the United States will do.”