New studies detail critical role of natural gas in achieving significant emissions reductions by 2050
AGA commends the National Petroleum Council on its two new studies that demonstrate the positive and transformative role that natural gas and its delivery infrastructure play for the global economy, energy security and the environment. The reports, which center on greenhouse gas emissions in the natural gas value chain and hydrogen deployment, are clear that abundant, affordable, and reliable natural gas will continue to play a crucial role in energy security and an important role in economic security beyond 2050 under all scenarios.
“Emissions from the natural gas distribution system have declined 70% since 1990, and the National Petroleum Council underscores the potential to reduce emissions even further through technology and innovation,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. “The natural gas utility industry has a solid track record of reducing emissions and is committed to continuing on that path. These studies confirm what we’ve been saying all along – natural gas and our delivery system have a crucial role in the United States’ and the world’s energy evolution. The United States has the most extensive natural gas pipeline delivery network in the world, and with continued rigorous research and testing, we can further leverage the industry’s infrastructure to enable clean and reliable hydrogen, LNG, and natural gas delivery across the entire nation.”
The NPC provides new tools to reflect the contribution of natural gas to emissions reductions accurately and discusses the important role of industry in engaging with communities and advancing workforce development. According to the council’s Reducing GHG Emissions from the U.S. Natural Gas Supply Chain study, the existing combined voluntary actions, technological advancements, and market mechanisms of trade associations, state governments, oil and gas companies and stakeholders across the entire value chain have the potential to reduce methane emissions by 50% by 2050, with most emissions reductions occurring before 2030.
The American Gas Association is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through smart innovation, new and modernized infrastructure, and advanced technologies that maintain reliable, resilient and affordable energy service choices for customers. Thanks to those efforts and tremendous investments made by the natural gas industry, natural gas efficiency and the growth of renewable energy have led to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions hitting 40-year lows. In addition, natural gas utilities have reduced methane emissions 70% since 1990. As new innovations unlock cleaner opportunities for energy delivery, the natural gas system’s 2.6 million miles of pipelines are poised to serve reliable and affordable energy to fuel the American economy and protect the energy security of America and its allies.