Natural Gas Continued to Lead in Reducing Carbon Dioxide in 2021
Mark Green
Posted January 4, 2023
U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions ticked up in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration – no surprise, given the leap in economic activity that followed the pandemic.
Noteworthy is the lead role that natural gas-fueled electricity generation continued to play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. See the graph below:
The blue bars show CO2 reductions in emissions resulting from fuel switching to natural gas from other, higher-emitting fuels. The green bars show CO2 emissions reductions attributable to increased non-carbon generating fuels. So, from 2006-2021, about 60% of the CO2 reductions are due to increased use of natural gas to fuel electricity generation.
The reinforced message here is the essential role natural gas has played and will play – not only in fueling power generation, but also in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. And, overall, the chart shows the combination of natural gas and intermittent wind and solar energy in reducing CO2 emissions. It helps indicate the critical relationship between natural gas and renewables that’s necessary for renewables to continue growing.
Key points from EIA on CO2 emissions:
- Total energy-related emissions increased 7% in 2021 compared to 2020.
- Despite the increase, 2021 emissions levels were 5% below 2019 levels that preceded the pandemic.
- Factors contributing to the emissions rise in 2021 included higher transportation volumes and increases in natural gas prices – prompting a rise in coal-fired power generation.
EIA’s report provided context for the 2021 CO2 emissions rise:
The combination of conditions that raised energy-related CO2 emissions in the United States in 2021 do not necessarily represent future trends. Many changes in energy-related CO2 emissions between 2020 and 2021 were associated with the economic effects of the pandemic.
Certainly, additional domestic natural gas production would help increase supply and put downward pressure on prices. The right set of policies can help support increased American production including increased federal leasing, streamlining and reforming regulation, and fostering the construction of new or expanded natural gas pipelines and other infrastructure.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.