The economic and environmental benefits of embracing natural gas

Written by David Callahan via RealClearEnergy,

It often feels like common ground is a rare commodity in today’s highly charged political climate, where heated debates emphasize our differences more often than our shared values. As political solutions are advanced in the coming months of the election season on key issues related to the economy, national security and the environment, we are reminded that not everything has to be partisan or divisive.

Natural gas crosses political boundaries and bridges political divides, delivering economic growth, advancing US energy security, and making substantial environmental progress. By recognizing the many benefits of this critical energy source, we can create a path forward that unites perspectives in the pursuit of a stronger America.

Nowhere in the country is this partnership and the opportunities it creates more evident than in Pennsylvania.

Producing nearly 20 percent of America’s natural gas, Pennsylvania exemplifies how the adoption of natural gas leads to generational economic, consumer and environmental progress. In the twenty years since the first horizontal well was drilled in the Marcellus, our state’s natural gas resources have drawn new opportunities to our region and strengthened existing industries, all while reducing energy costs, emissions and reliability concerns.

Perhaps it’s Pennsylvania’s 123,000 high-paying jobs, $40 billion a year in economic activity and more than $6 billion paid to landowners in royalties that unite the political polar opposites.

It could also be because natural gas drove the largest year-over-year drop in emissions from the state’s energy sector, underscoring its importance to a low-carbon future.

As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told POLITICO, “it’s a false choice to say we have to choose between protecting our planet and protecting our jobs. We can have both.”

Similarly, Pennsylvania state Sen. Gene Yaw, who chairs the Senate Energy and Environmental Resources Committee, says the state’s natural gas sector “has been an excellent partner in ensuring that consumers have access to affordable and reliable energy which depend, together with the creation of new jobs. and economic opportunities.”

The data shows that natural gas is a “rare bipartisan issue” for the Keystone State, pollsters from Axis Research said, noting that more than 68 percent of Pennsylvania Republicans and Democrats support continued investment in natural gas.

There is strong support for the industry in the Commonwealth because when Pennsylvania’s natural gas sector thrives, so do the people. A good example of the benefits is the more than $2.7 billion generated by the natural gas development tax that was distributed to communities in each county, regardless of industry activity.

Consider, for example, that Philadelphia is a direct beneficiary of power produced in Washington, Lycoming or Susquehanna County, receiving approximately $18 million in infrastructure, community development and emergency preparedness resulting from 2012, not to mention of the millions in annual energy savings for homes.

Southeastern Pennsylvania could further benefit from its energy abundance by serving as an LNG export hub, giving the world access to more reliable, cheaper and cleaner natural gas. After all, natural gas produced under Pennsylvania’s strong environmental regulations, along with operator best practices and continued innovation, is poised to play an even bigger role in the global call for low-emission energy as international buyers look for a certified cleaner product.

The Appalachian Basin being the largest and cleanest source of natural gas in the country, if not the world, positions us firmly at the forefront of America’s clean energy advantage, with significant potential for job creation and revenue growth, in especially for construction workers. .

To further leverage this incredible asset, America’s elected officials must address stifling regulatory hurdles, tax inequities and other challenges that prevent the expansion of natural gas development and use.

And as world events of the past few years have shown, energy and national security are inextricably linked. It is imperative that we develop a forward-looking vision for America’s energy future that uses our abundance of natural gas to ensure our nation’s energy security, sustainability, and prosperity.

There should be no debate about this.

By Zerohedge.com

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