The United States is using more natural gas than ever to meet power needs, which is leading to significant reductions in harmful pollutant emissions, new data confirms.
Driven by a 6.7% demand increase from the electric power sector, natural gas consumption grew by 1% to reach a new annual high in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s latest data.
Providing reliable, around-the-clock electricity to millions, natural gas accounted for a record 42% of total U.S. power production in 2024. Critically, this allowed power firms “to reduce emissions per unit of electricity generation, making good on commitments to curb pollution while raising total energy output,” as Reuters reports.
Such national trends are amplified even more here in Pennsylvania thanks to our enhanced development and use of locally produced natural gas. Pennsylvania has seen a sharp decline in electricity-related carbon emissions that’s equivalent to removing 12.5 million cars from the road – or removing every car in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and seven other neighboring states combined.
Alongside this decline in harmful emissions is a corresponding increase in improved air quality, not only contributing to a cleaner environment, but also a decrease in medical costs for health ailments exacerbated by pollution. These improvements in air quality have generated upwards of $1 trillion in public health benefits for Pennsylvanians, according to a Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) analysis.
Further, recent environmental data found that harmful SO2 and NOx air pollutants were 96% and 90% lower, respectively, compared to 1990 levels, thanks to natural gas.
“Pennsylvania’s energy leadership, bolstered by the sustained development of clean natural gas, is generating substantial benefits for our environment, economy and, as this data shows, the well-being of our communities,” said MSC President, David Callahan.
