Pennsylvania was the largest supplier and third largest generator of electricity in the U.S. in 2020, a new Energy Information Administration (EIA) analysis shows, meaning more Americans are benefitting from the affordable, abundant, and clean energy provided by the natural gas produced right beneath our feet.
With gas being the largest contributor, Pennsylvania generated 230 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity during the year, nearly 78 million MWh of which was sent to neighboring states. We’re also way ahead of our peers, with the Commonwealth distributing 46% more than Alabama, the next highest exporter.
“Natural gas accounted for about 52% of all the electricity generated from both utility- and small-scale facilities in Pennsylvania in 2020, up from 15% in 2010,” the report said. This increase follows natural gas usurping nuclear in becoming state’s largest generation source back in 2019.
Similar trends are appearing in other states, too, with the growing share of natural gas in the power sector making a huge difference for Americans in terms of energy costs, reliability, and air quality improvements.
Looking at Pennsylvania alone, we’ve reduced per-kilowatt hour power sector carbon emissions 37% in as little as 9 years, the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) calculated late last year. At the same time, retail electricity costs in the Commonwealth were down ~4.6% compared to 2019 data.
These significant consumer energy savings and emission reductions are directly attributable to competitive power markets in the U.S. where companies have access to natural gas rather than being forced to rely on other sources through government-imposed power generation mandates that can lead to an uptick in emissions and even threaten rolling blackouts.
The EIA and IFO’s data demonstrate that the U.S. can be a global leader in energy production while reducing environmental impacts if we maximize the development and deployment of our abundant natural resources. In fact, it’s America’s utilization of natural gas that has helped reduce our energy-related emissions faster than any other country in the world, as the International Energy Agency cites.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. power sector is already “half-way to zero” thanks to natural gas. Researchers at DOE’s Berkeley Lab calculated that switching to “natural gas for power generation played a big role in lowering carbon emissions. Natural gas generation grew rapidly, driven by the shale gas revolution and low fuel prices.”
As countries across the globe eye challenging climate targets, natural gas is the reliable and affordable energy means to achieve climate-related goals while assuring economic growth and enhancing global energy security.
