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Natural Gas: Think Big on Infrastructure

As blizzard conditions bear down on the Northeast, Marty Durbin, President and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance, offers a look at the shale gas revolution that is transforming the US economy, enabling record emissions reductions and fueling our nation’s emergence as the world’s leading producer of natural gas.

The American natural gas industry has shown remarkable resilience since last year’s extreme winter—the coldest in 20 years. After historic drawdowns, natural gas storage levels have been fully restored and production in the Marcellus Shale has risen 32% in a single year.  This means natural gas is ready and available to rise to the occasion of extreme weather. 

Long term, how can the nation make the most of this new age of natural gas abundance?  Expanding essential infrastructure. Many parts of the country are experiencing a manufacturing resurgence powered by affordable, abundant natural gas. But there are missed opportunities in the Northeast due to regional infrastructure constraints. Active leadership to break the logjam will enhance New England’s access to natural gas in wintertime and help move these vast supplies nationwide to expand clean power generation, manufacturing and economic growth.

Timely approval of LNG export facilities will allow our nation to share this clean energy with the world, providing global economic and environmental benefits. And, by spurring increased natural gas liquids production, LNG exports create even more opportunities for US manufacturing.

Yes, it’s cold outside.  But the opportunities made possible by American natural gas are just heating up. The markets are screaming for demand outlets. It’s time to think big as a nation about how to maximize our shale gas opportunity. 

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