Domestic natural gas is a foundational element of America’s global leadership. In addition to providing the United States the long-sought status of energy independence, natural gas remains our most resilient, versatile and essential natural resource. It underpins the stability of global energy markets, strengthens our nation’s economy, and supports strategic interests at home and abroad.
As we celebrate Independence Day, we must recognize the critical importance energy plays in strengthening our nation’s energy security, liberating our allies from dependence on foreign despots, and providing a prosperous and more sustainable future for us all.
Pennsylvania is a major contributor to America’s stable supply of clean, domestically-produced energy, providing nearly 20% of our nation’s natural gas supply. Natural gas is an essential energy source for our homes and businesses, and it is a key chemical building block for many of the products that make modern life possible.
In today’s complex geopolitical environment, the importance of this resource has never been clearer. When Russia’s unprovoked invasion on a sovereign nation exposed Europe’s perilous energy dependence, the United States stepped up. LNG exports helped our allies reduce their reliance on Russian energy – and did so while further enhancing shared environmental goals.
Stateside, as the dominant source of reliable energy, the natural gas industry fosters economic growth and job creation across the nation. In Pennsylvania alone, more than 123,000 family-sustaining and community sustaining jobs are supported by the natural gas industry. These jobs pay above-average salaries while providing career opportunities in varied fields for young people that for far too long have had to look elsewhere for employment.
The industry undertook more than $41 billion in economic activity in 2022 alone. The ripple effects of year-over-year economic contributions are felt far and wide in the Commonwealth, from increased capital investments to enhanced technological innovations, just to name a couple.
Energy consumers in the Commonwealth have also benefitted immensely from our energy abundance. As inflation strains the budgets for households and businesses alike, Pennsylvania consumers realized nearly $1.85 Billion in utility savings due to the drop in natural gas prices between 2022-2023.
What’s more, the increased use of natural gas in power generation has led to historic air pollutant reductions equaling $450 billion to $1.04 trillion in cumulative public health benefits for Pennsylvania residents. Furthermore, carbon emissions from that sector are down 46% compared to peak 2005 levels. This is equivalent to removing 12.5 million cars from the road for a year – or removing every car in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and several neighboring states combined.
Independence Day is a reminder that, as Americans, we have the inherent right and freedom to chart our own path. And energy independence is fundamental to preserving and ensuring this freedom. As we honor those whose efforts so many years ago gave birth to this great nation, let us also pause and give thanks to the men and women in the natural gas industry who work tirelessly each day to retain these freedoms for us.
