Recently I was watching March Madness and Exxon Mobil had bought a spot to play their new “Energy Lives Here” series. It was to explain the wonders of natural gas; the boost it’s giving to the US economy, the American example of reducing CO2 emissions, the tens of thousands of jobs created. So immediately I had to go and write this post.
So here are the basics. Natural gas has gone from less than 20% of the US energy mix to 33% and will most likely surpass coal in 2017. We’re expected to be hitting 50% natural gas by 2035, which we’ve already hit here in New England. Globally, natural gas is expected to grow 2% a year until 2040. What’s so great about natural gas? Well for one, natural gas is almost exclusively produced in the US, with net imports accounting for only 4% of consumption. It is also much more efficient, burns cleaner, and abundant. It’s estimated that we have 93 years worth of natural gas reserves within the US. So Benny, what’s the big problem?? Why did you hate the commercial so much?
It said natural gas saves the climate
Natural gas produces 50% less carbon dioxide. This means that although it is not a clean fuel, because of it’s higher efficiency and lower emissions, natural gas has become widely accepted as “safe enough” to please the general US public. Natural gas may burn cleaner, but it’s also mostly methane. Methane does not last as long in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, but can trap 100 times more heat in a 5 year period. Short term, our concerns should be the increased methane emissions, not the reduced carbon dioxide. Increased regulation and proper measurement of leaks from transport infrastructure and extraction is needed to ensure the risks of natural gas are kept to a minimum.
It said natural gas is a bridge fuel
Renewable energy as an independent energy system cannot be properly implemented until issues of long term energy storage and transmission are addressed. So natural gas is often seen as a complementary energy resource to fledgling renewable programs across the US. It is an energy source that can meet the needs of the US until renewable and clean energy is ready to be deployed. Natural gas is a fast dispatch resource that can quickly be burned to meet demand quickly. However, it can also be a competitor as well. The low prices of natural gas make it difficult in head to head competition for future generation.
Natural gas storage and transportation are infrastructure problems. If we put money into building that infrastructure, the US locks itself into natural gas for at least three or four decades. And this is money taken away from renewables research, subsidies, and grant money. We can’t do both. We have to decide as a country to lead the clean energy revolution and move towards distributed, clean energy systems.
It said fracking is completely safe
The American people have been made unaware of the dangers of fracking. Fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals underground to break apart shale rock formations for the extraction of natural gas. Fracking accounted for 2% of natural gas production in 2000. Today, it accounts for 67% of natural gas extraction and is responsible for the increasingly cheap source of energy that the US enjoys today. The activity has been approved by Congress and multiple efforts to dig into the dangers of fracking have been stopped by lobbyists and has been allowed to continue to devastate acres of land across the US.
Fracking creates a wastewater that is filled with chemicals and naturally radioactive materials. Most of this is brought back up to the surface, where it is pumped into holding ponds and allowed to settle back into the surrounding area, negatively impacting wildlife. There is also the danger of affected drinking water. The EPA released their assessment only this past year. Fracking has been happening since the 1990’s, almost 30 years of the natural gas industry allowed to ignore the clean water and air acts.
We have to bring to light the surface spills that have happened. We have to make sure people understand what it means when a natural gas company moves in next door.
It said natural gas creates jobs
One of the main selling points of the America First energy policy is the creation of jobs for the American people. The natural gas industry employs 3 million and has created value for the American people. But here are the issues with that.
One, these jobs were not for workers who needed the support of economic policy but office workers and middle managers who were already enjoying high paying jobs within the energy industry.
Two, a lot of the working class jobs created were temp jobs, as natural gas companies moved into areas for 2–3 years and then moved on without their new hires. The natural gas industry has left ghost towns dotted across the US.
Three, for every 2 jobs in the natural gas industry, twelve can be created in the renewable energy sector. Pound for pound, the renewable energy is better for the US economy, for the US people, and for the energy security of our future. And yet, Exxon has the money to pay for an ad to pull more people into it.
We’re jumping off the sinking ship of dirty coal but hopping onto a life raft paid for and sponsored by natural gas companies. The “frackopoly” has spent millions in TV ads and propping up jobs to make America think we’re on the right path. We need to stop putting money into the wrong industry and start putting our dollars, time, and energy into transmission improvements, energy storage, sustainability education, and policy reform. We need to see the bigger picture and do what’s best for an American energy future.
Inspired by Aoi Senju’s “Let’s Talk About…” series. Check him out here if you’re interested in energy issues! Watch out for my next post on my recommendations on the next steps for the US.
