Natural gas is a critical but contentious part of our energy supply. Its relatively low prices, 50-60% fewer emissions compared to coal, and its flexible ramping capability have lowered the U.S.’s total overall emissions while still delivering affordable and reliable energy. Carbon dioxide emissions from the U.S. energy sector decreased 28% between 2005 and 2018 with natural gas responsible for more than half of the reduction. Looking ahead, experts predict that the shift from coal to natural gas and renewables will continue in the coming years. The industry’s picture also includes expected increases in natural gas exports. On May 19, 2021, OurEnergyPolicy hosted a panel discussion to explore the future of natural gas.
Panelists discussed the economic, environmental, and policy issues facing the industry and what could be expected for its role in the future energy mix. While stating their belief that natural gas is essential and will be a part of the energy mix far into the future, panelists acknowledged that there are challenges that must be addressed. Managing methane flaring and leakage, minimizing environmental impacts of fracking, and continuing to decarbonize the production pipeline must all be goals for the industry. Panelists also offered their thoughts on new and developing technologies—such as carbon capture and hydrogen production—that could become an integral part of the natural gas equation in the future. Panelists also fielded questions about their views on natural gas as a bridge fuel and the industry’s response to emissions reduction legislation.
OurEnergyPolicy’s 5/19/21 Webinar – The Future of Natural Gas
Question 1) What long-term role do you see for natural gas?
Attended the natural gas webinar. Agree with the panelists that there is a future for natural gas if Carbon Capture, hydrogen from natural gas and/or natural gas as a feedstock… Read more »
I don’t see natural gas as having any truly long-term role. It has an important short-term role, but I don’t expect it to last for long. Ten years maybe. Twenty… Read more »
Well, this is embarrassing. I stand by most of what I wrote above, but I blew it on one rather important point. That’s regarding the abundance of natural gas, and… Read more »
Roger, I agree with you that blue hydrogen can be a significant use of natural gas in the future if CCS can be done safely and economically since we can’t… Read more »
The order of magnitude difference I was speaking of is in the energy cost, not the monetary cost. Sorry, I should have made that clearer. In reforming, most of the… Read more »
We must phase out NG use as soon as possible. Natural gas (NG) is about as bad as coal when it comes to global warming. Academic studies show actual NG… Read more »
I don’t think that there’s a strong consensus, as yet, that the leakage rates for natural gas are as high as the studies you refer to suggest. There’s no question… Read more »
I believe the evidence suggests that the recent increase in atmospheric methane does come from natural gas extraction, especially fracking. Listen to my recent interview with methane expert Robert Howarth… Read more »
I’m sorry, Dan. I know this won’t sit well with you, but I cannot regard Robert Howarth as a methane expert. I’ve read the paper that he and Mark Z.… Read more »
Roger: I agree with you that Bob & Mark’s paper was flawed. I hadn’t considered your point & I need to mull that over. Other problems with their paper include… Read more »
Are you a judoka, Dan? I was expecting pushback from you, and I now find myself off balance. Whether or not your reply was intended for that effect, you win… Read more »
To be clear, I think we should ban all new FF infrastructure projects immediately and work on phasing out FF ASAP (cars by 2030, electricity by 2035 and everything by… Read more »
I mostly agree. One of the reasons I’m in favor of CO2-based EOR is that in addition to sequestering carbon, it allows a slowly. tapering demand for oil to be… Read more »
I’m not worried about any policies that would shut down FF production too fast. Yes, we should start phasing out FF quickly, but we’re doing essentially nothing so far. I’ve… Read more »
Question 2) How should clean energy legislation approach natural gas as a part of the energy mix?
There is a future for natural gas if Carbon Capture, hydrogen from natural gas, and/or natural gas as a feedstock are cost-competitive and work. Legislation should be neutral on subsidies… Read more »
Facilitate the use of captured CO2 for EOR.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel and should not be included in any future energy mix (except to the extent that it is being phased out as soon as possible).
I don’t entirely agree. Over the long run, use of fossil fuels is not sustainable. No question about that. And while mountain top removal for coal mining is an abhorrent… Read more »
I agree with you that carbon capture should be used on all NG applications while we work to replace those applications with zero-carbon solutions. This is already possible for electricity… Read more »
Natural gas will have a major role as long as there is cheap natural gas which implies most of this century.. It is likely to be in the form of… Read more »