The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that for the week ended April 21, domestic natural gas supplies rose by 79 billion cubic feet. Total working gas in storage for the latest week was at 2.009 trillion cubic feet, up 525 billion cubic feet from a year ago and 365 billion cubic feet above the five-year average. Natural gas can be found in vast quantities all over the United States. Traditionally, gas is formed in the Gulf of Mexico, Canada, and other parts of the world. The increased domestic production of natural gas has led to the United States being the second leading natural gas producer.
A rise in the production of natural gas in the United States brings with it numerous benefits. First and foremost, natural gas is a cleaner alternative to other forms of fossil fuel. Various reports have shown that natural gas produces 25-30% less CO2 emissions than oil and 40-50% less than coal. The increased use of natural gas could go a long way in reducing air pollution, which has become a significant problem worldwide.
The second benefit is the economic value that arises from the natural gas industry. The rise of shale gas alone contributed about $50 billion to the US economy in 2013, and that number is only expected to grow during the coming years. Additionally, this sector delivers thousands of jobs, and more production means a boost in job opportunities. Apart from the obvious benefits to the employees themselves, job creation can have cascading advantages to the US economy as a whole.
The third advantage of increased production of natural gas is that natural gas prices are likely to remain stable. Natural gas prices have experienced a decline in recent years, and as the United States produces more and more natural gas through its domestic resources, gas prices will remain low. This is good news for consumers, as this makes natural gas a more affordable option for heating and cooling their homes.
Another major advantage of increasing natural gas production within the United States is that it lessens the country’s reliance on imported oil. With geopolitical tensions and various technical issues, the cost of importing oil is often volatile, leading to fluctuating gas prices. By producing more of its natural gas domestically, the United States can reduce its dependence on other nations for energy resources. This will help to maintain a more stable supply of natural gas and, by extension, keep energy prices more stable as well.
Moreover, a significant rise in natural gas production opens up the possibility of exporting natural gas to other countries. The United States has the resources to become a major player in the global natural gas market, and the increase in domestic production can lead to significant export opportunities. This will not only help to balance out the US trade deficit, but it will also have political implications, as it would give the United States more leverage in negotiations and trade agreements.
However, it is also essential to consider the potential drawbacks of increased natural gas production. One major concern is that natural gas still emits greenhouse gases, even if it is a cleaner form of fossil fuel. Many argue that efforts should be focused on renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind, instead of perpetuating the use of fossil fuels by expanding natural gas production.
Another concern is the potential environmental impact of increased natural gas production. There have been reports of groundwater contamination around hydraulic fracturing (fracking) sites, which could pose a threat to public health. Furthermore, there are concerns about the release of methane during natural gas production, which is an even more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.
In conclusion, the rise in domestic natural gas supplies in the United States has several economic, environmental, and geopolitical benefits. It promotes a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels, contributes to the national economy, stabilizes gas prices, reduces reliance on imported oil, and presents an opportunity for the United States to become a top player in the global natural gas market. However, it is crucial to weigh these benefits against the potential environmental and public health risks associated with natural gas production. While natural gas is a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels, the focus should remain on developing renewable energy solutions to combat climate change effectively.
