The U.S. natural gas industry continues to drive emission reductions across operations, with new data from the EPA’s draft Greenhouse Gas Inventory finding energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are down 15% from peak 2005 levels.
Specific to methane, emissions from natural gas systems fell 8% during that same time frame, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft data indicates. And in the power generation sector, carbon emissions are down 35% compared to their 2005 peak as natural gas has provided the lion’s share of the nation’s electricity mix. In Pennsylvania, emissions are down an impressive 44% during the same time period.
EPA’s initial analysis comes at the heels of independent research that United States is the most sustainable of all major energy producing countries, and that curbing development would actually negatively impact the environment.
The Institute for Energy Research’s Environmental Quality Index (EQI) produced by Yale University, found the average bcf of natural gas produced outside of the U.S. carries a 24% lower environmental score. EQIs are used to accurately compare the environmental profiles of countries across the globe, accounting for varying ecosystems, climate, and regulatory environment.
Moreover, 61% of America’s emission reductions between 2005-2019 were driven by the use of natural gas, IER’s findings suggest. That’s more reductions than the next five countries combined.
These data points show natural gas has the ability to achieve environmental progress while ensuring energy resilience and providing reliable and affordable fuel to Pennsylvanians, Americans, and global allies.
“Pennsylvania produces roughly 22 percent of all domestic natural gas production and could replace nearly three-quarters of Russian gas currently imported into Europe,” state Senator Gene Yaw, chairman of the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, penned in a recent op-ed.
With President Biden’s environmental and climate policies clear, policies recognizing Pennsylvania natural gas’ role in achieving energy security and environmental progress are a must from the newly inaugurated Shapiro Administration.
Sensible policies and regulations that are competitive and provide predictability in the marketplace will ensure Pennsylvania is positioned for intergenerational success.
“In doing so, we can position the Commonwealth for continued economic growth, expanded job opportunities, and further innovation and entrepreneurship, all while improving the communities in which our industry is proud to live and work,” as MSC’s Dave Callahan wrote in PennLive at the beginning of the year.
