America’s abundant natural gas resources have positively transformed the U.S. into a global clean energy leader while helping to create good-paying jobs here at home. This is in large part thanks to advancements in technology, principally the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis, hydraulically fractured wells now produce upwards of two-thirds of the nation’s natural gas output, up from less than seven percent in 2000.

Calling “energy the linchpin to economic growth,” Vice President Biden reinforced the importance of American natural gas development during a speech this week in Tampa, Fla. Mr. Biden told the audience that “thanks to our abundance of natural gas…North America is the new epicenter of energy in the world.” The vice president is absolutely right. However if some in Harrisburg (and Washington, D.C., for that matter) continue to misguidedly pursue proposals for even higher energy taxes and burdensome regulations that will jeopardize shale’s benefits for hard-working Pennsylvania families and our environment, our newfound energy success will come to a halt.

Here’s what they’re saying about the economic and environmental benefits of clean-burning natural gas:

Local Economic Benefits

  • Natural Gas Delivers Energy Savings for Northumberland Co. Consumers: People who live in Northumberland Co. now have the option to switch from oil or electric heat to natural gas. It’s all part of UGI’s Get Gas Program, which is designed to provide up to 600 homes in Riverside with natural gas. … UGI estimates heating bills will go down between $500 and $1,000 a year if you have electric heat. (WNEP-TV, 5/11/16)
  • Residents, School Official Support Proposed Natural Gas Power Plant: Local residents and a school official are thrilled to hear about future plans…to develop a natural gas power plant on 93 acres adjoining the property. Authorities said the gas power plant could bring a dozen or so full-time jobs and hundreds of construction jobs. “It’s wonderful,” Cresson resident Tammy Garrett said. “It’s a shame that land is just sitting up there and we had all those jobs there and lost them. So it’s wonderful that it’s coming back to the area and the businesses and stuff can build back up.” (WJAC-TV, 5/4/16)
  • Small Businesses Benefits from Natural Gas Development: What becomes evident during this lower-price environment are the immensely positive benefits the oil and gas industry delivers to the country’s small businesses. … Pa. is blessed with abundant reserves beneath its borders that can fuel small businesses for many years ahead. … So, policymakers and communities should be encouraging the responsible build out of regional and multi-state pipeline projects. Short-haul pipeline projects such as the Atlantic Sunrise, Constitution and PennEast, and longer-haul projects like the Atlantic Coast and Rover all serve unique purposes. And what they have in common is delivering more natural gas to market. That’s good for small businesses connected to exploration and production, as well as for those who support pipeline construction, including loggers, landscapers, quarries, trucking and many others. The U.S. energy industry fuels America’s small businesses in so many ways. By growing the energy sector, we produce jobs, increase tax revenue and enhance our country’s economic expansion. (Phila. Business Journal column, 5/6/16)
  • Additional Clean-Burning Natural Gas Power Plants in the Works: Plans for two more natural gas-fired power plants are advancing in Central Pa., adding to the growing list of more than two dozen similar facilities that have either been proposed, approved or are under review in the state that would utilize Marcellus and Utica shale gas. Last week, the Pa. Dept. of General Services signed over a portion of the property at a state prison that closed in 2013 to the Cambria county Redevelopment Authority. Ninety-three of the 425 acres were transferred, which makes it easier for Greensburg, PA-based Keytex Energy to negotiate a deal for the power plant it wants to build on the site…Md.-based Competitive Power Ventures Inc. (CPV) is also proceeding with its plan to build a 980 MW natural gas-fired facility. Both facilities are expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of permanent positions. (Natural Gas Intelligence, 5/10/16)

Improves Air Quality  

  • Thanks to Natural Gas, U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Electricity Generation Lowest Since 1993: Carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation totaled 1,925 million metric tons in 2015, the lowest since 1993 and 21% below their 2005 level. A shift on the electricity generation mix, with generation from natural gas drove the reductions in emissions. … In recent years, the drop in natural gas prices, coupled with highly efficient natural gas-fired combined-cycle technology, made natural gas an attractive choice to serve baseload demand. (EIA, 5/13/16)
  • Natural Gas Development Drives Down Carbon Emissions: Carbon dioxide emissions continue to fall in the United States due to a switch from coal to natural gas derived from shale, the federal government reported Monday. … Many of the changes in energy-related [carbon dioxide] emissions in recent history have occurred in the electric power sector because of the increased use of natural gas for electricity generation. (Washington Examiner, 5/9/16)
  • EIA: US Carbon Dioxide Emissions Down From 2005 Levels: America’s CO2 emissions have fallen 12% since 2005, due to increased natural gas production from hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, according to a report published Monday by the EIA. … Natural gas emits about half the CO2 of coal power and is already cheaper than coal in many locations due to fracking. The EIA estimates that roughly 68 percent of the falling CO2 emissions are due to the switch from coal to natural gas (Daily Caller, 5/9/16)
  • Methane Emissions Fall as Natural Gas Production Rises: According to data from the Pa. DEP, methane emissions tied to natural gas development have fallen 13 percent from 2012-2013. Likewise, data from the EPA indicates there has been an 81 percent decrease in hydraulic fracturing-related methane emissions since 2012. What’s more, University of Colorado experts have found that Marcellus Shale operations have the lowest methane emissions of major oil and gas producing fields in the United States, which reflects the industry’s commitment to protecting our environment and the commonwealth’s modernized regulations. (Observer-Reporter letter, 5/7/16)

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