More manufacturing jobs, lower transportation and home-energy costs, and a cleaner environment. These are several of the most clear benefits associated with the safe development of job-creating American natural gas, which continues to be led by the Marcellus Shale. This responsible, tightly-regulated and effectively managed production is bringing manufacturing roaring back – all while technologies continued to be leveraged to protect and enhance our environment.

BOLSTERING MANUFACTURING

  • Natural gas production “spurs” U.S. manufacturing growth: The ongoing shale boom and increasing use of hydraulic fracturing has comparative advantages that could drive US manufacturing growth, said Fitch Ratings analysts who believe low natural gas prices provide a competitive advantage for petrochemicals, steel, and other energy-intensive industries. … The primary effect of shale gas will be lower costs for US industry and consumers. Fitch also sees the cooper, aluminum, and cement industries as benefitting from low gas prices. (Oil & Gas Journal, 1/10/13)
  • Safe shale development spurring “a manufacturing renaissance” in Pa.: Petrochemical executives, academics and lawmakers convened Thursday for a frank discussion on how the growing natural gas boom in the tristate area can really spur a manufacturing renaissance. … The discussion focused on the attractive economics around using natural gas, instead of petroleum, to create compounds, such as ethylene, that are used in plastics and other industries. “Shale is everywhere, we need to get there first and stay there,” Gellman said. (Pittsburgh Business Times, 1/10/13)

POWERING TRANSPORTATION

  • One million natural gas-powered trucks, buses on the road by 2019: According to a recent report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, sales of natural gas trucks and buses will expand steadily over the remainder of the decade. More than 930,000 of these vehicles will be sold worldwide from 2012 to 2019, the study concludes. “NG vehicles emit substantially lower levels of GHGs, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxide than either gasoline- or diesel-powered trucks and buses. … What’s more, compared to diesel engines, natural gas provides a financial benefit…” (Pike Research, 1/11/13)
  • Pa. DEP fostering CNG growth: “We do not want any eligible organization to miss out on this terrific opportunity to convert vehicle fleets from imported oil to homegrown, clean-burning, cheaper natural gas,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “These grants will allow local governments, schools and businesses to lower their operational costs, lessen dependency on foreign oil and clean the air all at the same time.” (Pa. DEP release, 1/10/13)
  • Centre Co., Pa. considers many benefits of natural gas vehicles: Centre County Commissioner Chris Exarchos thinks compressed natural gas-powered vehicles are the wave of the future, and the county is now taking step in that direction. … Exarchos strongly supports the proactive nature of the project saying that being able to use energy that is home-grown and produced in the county will be a major advantage… Another advantage to the county would be the lower costs of fuel. Exarchos said once the infrastructure is in place the county will be able to save a large sum of money in fuel costs that can be put toward other projects and expenses. (Centre Daily Times, 1/12/13)
  • Thanks to natural gas, Okla. drivers saving at the pump: You can now fuel up your vehicle for less than a dollar per gallon; if your car runs on compressed natural gas, or CNG. … Now, those who convert vehicles to CNG say they can’t keep up with the demand. … According to the Oklahoma Governor’s Office, an owner of a CNG vehicle will save $20,000 over the vehicle’s lifetime. Add that to the fact that some analysts say gas prices could soar to above $4 a gallon this year, and CNG decreases our dependence on foreign oil; and most proponents say compressed natural gas is the fuel of the future.  “Number one: it’s American,” said Chapman. “Number two, it’s much less expensive and number three, it’s better for your motor because it burns much cleaner. Your oil changes can be extended out. Your tune-ups can be extended because it’s not a carbon-based fuel.” (KWTV, 1/08/13)
  • Tank fill up less than a $1 per gallon with CNG, for some Arkansas drivers: “We are proud to announce the CNG price for a gasoline gallon equivalent at AOG’s fueling station located at 2100 S. Waldron Road in Fort Smith, AR. is now $0.96,” said Mike Callan, president of Fort Smith-based Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp. (City Wire, 1/15/13)
  • CNG station coming to St. Louis Airport: A new source of revenue could come to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport via a high profile compressed natural gas (CNG) station. The St. Louis Airport Commission approved a deal Wednesday to allow Laclede Venture Corp., a subsidiary of The Laclede Group, to build and operate a fueling station on one acre of the airport’s Super Park Lot C facility. … The fueling station would primarily serve the commercial fleet business, including taxis and airport shuttles. (St. Louis Business Journal, 1/09/13)
  • Natural gas fueling arrives in Utah: Fueling buses is a significant expense for the district and costs have risen in tandem with the population boom in Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. To put a lid on these bus costs in the west county area, the district has begun preliminary plans to build a new bus depot. The plan is to fill it with natural gas buses — which save on fuel costs and reduce pollution — and install the district’s own natural gas filling station. (Daily Herald-Utah, 1/14/13)
  • Minnesota drivers get another CNG fueling station: Kwik Trip Alternative Fuels Superintendent Joel Hirschboeck said on Tuesday that Kwik Trip is a forward-looking company that’s always looking for what’s next in the fuel service industry. … The benefits of compressed natural gas as a fuel source is nothing to sneer at — according to data it helps America become energy independent with a 100-year supply, making the U.S. the second largest producer of natural gas in the world, trailing only Russia. Natural gas is also a cleaner burning fuel, with 90 percent less emissions and 27 percent less emissions for greenhouse gases, according to data. Perhaps the greatest benefit to compressed natural gas is its price. … The benefits of natural gas led Kwik Trip to switch its fleet of more than 30 vehicles to run on compressed natural gas. … “There is a real economic value to our community and to the state of Minnesota for being able to provide this energy fuel source for vehicles,” [Mayor Tom] Kuntz said. (Owatonna People’s Press, 1/10/13)

MORE AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY

  • Marcellus Shale benefits continued to be realized by Philadelphians: Veolia Energy has quietly upgraded its century-old power plant in Grays Ferry to reposition the nation’s third-largest district heating system as an environmentally friendly energy source. … Natural gas costs less than fuel oil, so the bills for Veolia’s customers should decrease. And natural gas burns more cleanly. … “It really helps the customers achieve their goals of efficiency and emissions reductions,” said Michael J. Smedley, Veolia’s Mid-Atlantic vice president. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/13/13)
  • Maine consumers to get access to more natural gas: Summit Natural Gas of Maine on Thursday won the approval of the state Public Utilities Commission to provide natural gas through a pipeline in 17 central Maine communities. Colorado-based Summit joins Maine Natural Gas, which won the PUC’s approval long ago and has already begun laying pipeline in the ground in Augusta. It’s part of the race to supply natural gas to customers throughout the Kennebec region, including Augusta, Fairfield, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Madison, Richmond, Skowhegan, Waterville and Winslow. (Kennebec Journal, 1/11/13)
  • W. Illinois University now powered by natural gas: Classes at WIU begin Monday. Students and staff at WIU might notice cleaner air this semester. The university has transitioned…to natural gas to power its campus. … WIU’s future now depends on these natural gas boilers. KHQA asked what the switch over means for the community and students. “Less emissions,” Facilities Management Assistant Director Monte Colley said. (KHQA, 1/14/13)