HARRISBURG, PA, February 23, 2026 — Today, the American Petroleum Institute released a new report showing Pennsylvania natural gas and oil powers the Keystone State’s economy and key industries like agriculture, healthcare and tourism, as well as modern life.
“Pennsylvania has been a driving force in American energy leadership since Edwin Drake drilled the world’s first commercial oil well here in 1859,” said API Pennsylvania Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman. “The U.S. leads the world in natural gas and oil production, and Pennsylvania plays a leading role in that success.”
The report highlighted the following:
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From January to October of 2024, the total delivery of natural gas to all consumers in Pennsylvania averaged a monumental 4.8 billion cubic feet compared to the 2.6 billion cubic feet delivered throughout all of 2013.
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Around one in five households in the U.S. rely on petroleum products, mostly heating oil or propane, for home heating.
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Pennsylvania households that use natural gas save an average of $2,200 annually compared to the average U.S. state.
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Pennsylvania’s natural gas production is projected to satisfy more than one half of the East Coast’s natural gas consumption through 2050.
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Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest natural gas storage capacity in the nation at 763 billion cubic feet.
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Pennsylvania’s impact fee on unconventional natural gas wells has generated over $2.88 billion for communities since 2012.
According to the report, Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities, including Penn State and Bucknell, utilize natural gas to help reduce emissions.
The healthcare industry also relies on petroleum products and derivatives to support a myriad of medical supplies and equipment. Natural gas has also played a major role in helping the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with carbon neutrality goals.
Natural gas is also foundational to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry for essentials like fuel and fertilizer. In a state where families or individuals primarily own more than 99 percent of the farms, reliable, affordable energy is paramount.
Pennsylvania is the second-largest natural gas producer in the U.S., behind only Texas.
Together, the natural gas and oil industry supports 400,000 jobs and generates $77 billion in economic impact in Pennsylvania, according to the PwC.
The American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania (API Pennsylvania) is a state affiliate office of the American Petroleum Institute (API). The API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Learn more at API.org.
