True Blue Natural Gas - An Energy Blog from the American Gas Association AGA » Dave Parker

Focus on Low-Carbon Solutions

Dave Parker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:22:07 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “Is Climate Change Causing Wild Weather?”

The recent weather events making news across America and across the globe do indeed give us all reason to pause. Certainly there have been recent, unusual, and in some cases tragically destructive, weather patterns, but no unanimous consensus is possible as to whether the changes are to some degree a cyclical event or a total de-linkage from the past. Likewise there never will be consensus as to how much of the changing patterns are attributable to human activities. However, we as an industry—and as a country—need to thoughtfully plan for an energy-efficient, carbon-constrained and climate-focused future. Utilizing the premier fuel that is natural gas should be a cornerstone to any such energy plan.

AGA has long understood the importance of balancing the need to meet increasing energy demands with an awareness of our environmental stewardship. Our member utilities and their customers have long supported efforts that encourage conservation and efficiency and the responsible development of America’s abundant natural gas resources.

That said, the wide-ranging debate over climate change, while taking into account the concerns of the environmental community, must also allow for reasonable input from industries likely to be affected by any resulting environmental legislation or regulations.

This is all the more reason to promote the direct use of natural gas in America’s homes and business. Not only is natural domestically abundant—meaning it can meet our growing energy needs right now—but also it is the cleanest and most efficient of the fossil fuels. In fact from the wellhead to the burner tip, natural gas loses only about 10 percent of its useable energy. Even when used to generate electricity, natural gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels and it can provide reliable baseload power, unlike other clean energy forms such as wind and solar, which are more intermittent in nature.

These attributes only highlight the important, and intelligent, role that natural gas plays in providing reliable and low-carbon energy.

Let’s focus on solutions

Dave Parker — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:47:32 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “Should Congress strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its power to regulate carbon dioxide emissions?”

The current debate about allowing EPA to regulate carbon emissions or encouraging Congress to act in its stead is a significant and heated one. However, we believe there are more effective and pragmatic ways of reducing carbon emissions than government mandates, regardless of which branch of government is issuing them. For example, using America’s most reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly fossil fuel, natural gas, and using it as efficiently as possible, can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

To that end, government policies that promote the increased use of natural gas are the most effective way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. And because natural gas is domestically abundant—more than 97 percent of the natural gas we use comes from North America—it contributes to our energy security as well.

The fact is that, for four decades, natural gas residential and commercial customers have been leading the way in energy efficiency and carbon emission reductions. For example, the number of residential households using natural gas increased from 38 million in 1970 to 66 million today — an increase of more than 70 percent — yet aggregate residential consumption over that time has remained essentially flat. That is because residential natural gas users have cut their natural gas use, per household, by about 40 percent. This decline in residential gas usage per household is due to better insulated homes, more efficient appliances and conservation/efficiency programs that are supported by natural gas utilities.

This remarkable success in both reducing natural gas usage on a per-household basis and increasing appliance efficiency should be considered when crafting a national energy strategy. An effective course of action would be to continue to support these successful approaches and encourage other innovative ways to promote conservation.

We believe that natural gas could, and should, be used as a tool to improve environmental quality and energy efficiency. An approach to reducing emissions that is focused on appliance efficiency standards, building codes, and utility-supported conservation/efficiency programs has a proven track record for residential and commercial natural gas customers.

Let’s focus on what works for America, our environment and our future. We need to be talking about natural gas – domestic, abundant, affordable and available right now.

How Can The U.S. Wean Itself Off Oil: Diversity Breeds Strength

Dave Parker — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:33:55 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “How Can The U.S. Wean Itself Off Oil?”

The tragic and still un-contained oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may well go down as one of the most significant environmental disasters of record. That being said, the fact remains that United States’ insatiable demand for energy is unchanged.

As a country, we still use an enormous amount of energy every day and that energy has to come from somewhere. Compounding the already contentious debate surrounding our dependence on foreign sources of energy, there is a good chance that this disaster may sour Americans on additional, let alone existing, domestic oil production. Whatever comes next should reflect a more disaggregated but strong domestic energy framework that takes advantage of our nation’s many alternative resources.

AGA has long supported, to the fullest extent possible, the development of a diverse domestic energy supply, including coal, oil, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar and, of course, natural gas. And while everyone is encouraged by the increased awareness being brought to renewables, the fact remains that all of the power produced by alternative and renewable fuel sources meets only a small portion of the country’s daily energy needs.

A realistic plan for a sustainable low-carbon future, therefore, must include, and support, traditional and proven fuel sources such as natural gas. With major energy producers publicly turning to natural gas as their fuel of choice, the message is clear—as the cleanest of all fossil fuels, natural gas can provide the nation and its consumers with a proven, reliable, low-carbon source of energy.

Equally important is ensuring that the most effective and efficient application of natural gas—directly using natural gas to heat homes, to heat water, for cooking, and for other end-use applications such as natural gas vehicles—is encouraged and supported. Direct use of natural gas is more efficient, more cost effective and greener than converting gas to electricity to power the same end-use applications.

Domestic Access = Security

Dave Parker — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:19:12 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “Drill, Barry, Drill?”

President Obama’s plan to expand offshore natural gas exploration is a clear sign that his administration understands the importance of achieving American energy security on all fronts. While AGA is happy that the president sees the vital short- and long-term role that natural gas plays in a low-carbon future, greater inroads to capturing natural gas’ inherent efficiency and robust domestic resource base are still needed.

Just this Tuesday, AGA reported that at year-end 2009 the known reserves of natural gas in the United States likely increased for the 11th straight year, approaching 250 trillion cubic feet. Combined with the most current estimate of undiscovered resources, we have a total future supply equaling more than 100 years at the current rate of use. This is the highest level in more than 35 years. Much of the supply optimism can be traced to the influences of unconventional onshore resources such as natural gas from shale and tight sands. Access to offshore natural gas reserves will provide additional strength to domestic resources.

This kind of robust supply base reinforces the pivotal role that natural gas will continue to play in the years ahead. When used directly in homes, businesses and industry, natural gas is at its most efficient. And when used for power generation, natural gas is the cleanest of fossil fuels. All of these benefits point to the need for continued domestic exploration for natural gas onshore and off, unconventional and conventional.

The goal of a diverse stable of carbon-neutral alternatives for power generation is an important one; it is certainly a goal worth pursuing. To that end, AGA has long supported the development of a diverse domestic energy supply, including oil, nuclear, coal, wind, hydro, solar and, of course, domestic, abundant and clean natural gas.

But we as a nation also need to get behind the best low carbon fuel that is domestically accessible, already abundant, available and ready right now. Natural gas meets all of these criteria and expanded offshore access will help to ensure it continues to do so.

Climate Change Still Matters

Dave Parker — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:26:46 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “A Paler Shade of Green?”

Although the recent Gallup poll showing decreased concern over climate change is troubling, it is not surprising given the number of other, more immediate concerns facing Americans today, including such “kitchen table” issues as affordable health care, affordable energy, paying the mortgage, holding on to their jobs, and the shape of their 401k.

For many Americans, climate change is an academic argument over abstract issues that have little immediate connection to their everyday lives. When faced with losing a house or a job, worrying about health insurance or the safety of a child at war, measuring carbon emissions or reading about greenhouse gas buildup can easily fall down the list of people’s priorities.

That said, the debate over the validity of climate change, its potential causes and solutions, remains an important one, which is why AGA, its natural gas utility members and their customers continue to move forward, focusing on proven practices that can increase energy efficiency and conservation, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. From encouraging the direct use of natural gas in homes and businesses to promoting more efficient building codes and standards, our industry has a demonstrated track record of environmental stewardship. In fact, the number of residential households using natural gas increased from 38 million in 1970 to about 65 million today — an increase of more than 70% — yet aggregate residential consumption of natural gas to heat their homes over that time remained essentially flat and so have greenhouse gas emissions. Equally impressive, households across America today use 32 percent less natural gas than they did in 1980.

The point is that in natural gas households, it is still possible to concentrate on the kitchen table issues while doing your part to be energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Natural gas is ahead of the curve

Dave Parker — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:02:50 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “Should Carbon Be Priced Sector By Sector?”

The American Gas Association (AGA) commends Senators Kerry, Graham, Lieberman, Cantwell, Collins, Bingaman and Murkowski for helping to keep a spotlight on our nation’s energy issues and looking for smart, creative and logical alternatives to address America’s need for a sound energy policy. By recognizing the role that clean, domestic and abundant natural gas can and will play in combating climate change, our legislators can help reach our nation’s energy goals sooner.

AGA urges members of Congress to take a look at the successful track record of America’s natural gas customers. During the past 40 years, while the number of natural gas customers has doubled, actual natural gas use and greenhouse gas emissions have remained essentially flat. This decline in residential gas usage per household is due to better insulated homes, more efficient appliances and conservation/efficiency programs supported by natural gas utilities.

This remarkable success in both reducing natural gas usage on a per-household basis and increasing appliance efficiency should be considered when crafting a national energy strategy. Instead of simply mandating arbitrary prescriptive requirements, a far more effective course of action would be to continue to support these successful approaches and encourage other innovative ways to promote conservation.

Coming Down To Earth on a ‘Clean Energy’ Standard?

Dave Parker — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:21:58 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “Should Congress Embrace A ‘Clean Energy’ Standard?”

AGA has long supported, to the fullest extent possible, the development of a diverse domestic energy supply, including coal, oil, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar and, of course, natural gas. Senator Graham’s proposal, while an important first step, does not fully engage all of America’s low-carbon tools in our fight to reduce carbon emissions; specifically, it omits natural gas. As Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently told us at an AGA Board of Directors meeting, natural gas is a necessary component of any truly renewable energy program.

The fact remains that all of the power produced by alternative and renewable fuel sources meets only a small portion of the country’s daily energy needs, and those dependent on solar and wind to produce electricity rely on natural gas as a back-up fuel when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. A realistic plan for a low-carbon future, therefore, must include, and support, traditional and proven fuel sources such as natural gas.

With major energy producers publicly turning to natural gas as their fuel of choice, the message is clear – as the cleanest of all fossil fuels, natural gas can provide the nation and its consumers with a proven, reliable, low-carbon source of energy.

Equally important is ensuring that the most effective and efficient application of natural gas – its direct use in the home for space heating, heating water, cooking, and other end-use applications – is encouraged and supported. Direct use of natural gas is by far the most efficient, cost effective and green choice when compared to converting gas to electricity to power the same end-use applications.

The best way to address climate change and support the renewable market, while still providing America with the reliable energy it needs to grow its economy, is with a wide-ranging set of options that includes natural gas and all of America’s other energy resources.

Coming Down To Earth, A Winning Strategy For Renewables

Dave Parker — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:12:14 +0000

Read my latest response on the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog to the question, “What’s A Winning Strategy For Renewables?”

AGA has long supported, to the fullest extent possible, the development of a diverse domestic energy supply, including coal, oil, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar and, of course, natural gas. As Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently told our board of directors, natural gas is a necessary component of any truly renewable energy program.

And, while everyone is encouraged by the increased awareness being brought to renewables, the fact remains that all of the power produced by alternative and renewable fuel sources meets only a small portion of the country’s daily energy needs. A realistic plan for a low-carbon future, therefore, must include, and support, traditional and proven fuel sources like natural gas.

While coal has historically been the dominant fuel in America’s domestic resource base, natural gas has begun to play an increasingly important role in electricity generation. With major energy producers publicly turning to natural gas as their fuel of choice, the message is clear – as the cleanest of all fossil fuels, natural gas can provide the nation and its consumers with a proven, reliable, low-carbon source of energy.

Equally important is ensuring that the most effective and efficient application of natural gas – directly using natural gas to heat homes, to heat water, for cooking, and for other end-use applications – is encouraged and supported. Direct use of natural gas is more efficient, more cost effective and greener than converting gas to electricity to power the same end-use applications.

The best way to address climate change and support the renewable market, while still providing America with the energy it needs to grow its economy, is with a wide-ranging set of options that accesses and utilizes natural gas, and all of America’s other energy resources.

Can Obama Satisfy The World And Congress?

Dave Parker — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:05:37 +0000

My latest comment from the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog.

Creating a Practical, Doable Solution

As an issue, climate change – regardless of how people choose to define it – probably sits near the top of every major government’s to-do list. In a perfect world, that fact alone should be enough to spur into action the world leaders currently gathering in Copenhagen.

We do not, however, live in a perfect world. We live in a world where climate change, although a very important issue, is one of many facing policy makers with limited time, limited budgets and an expanding portfolio of pressing concerns. What can President Obama do to satisfy the world and express in action America’s commitment to addressing the probable effects of climate change? First and foremost he can look to his own country and its rich supply of innovation, creativity and domestic low-carbon resources.

The United States is home to many of the world’s leading alternative energy and carbon-neutral researchers, creative thinkers and entrepreneurs. Some are academics seeking to develop low-impact resources for idealistic reasons while others are traditional energy companies looking to capitalize on the green energy market. Both should be encouraged, because fundamentally shifting the very concepts of energy and energy supply will be an expensive and a long journey.

There is no “app” for clean energy, but there is a strategy and, given time, it will likely bear fruit: (1) continue to invest in energy efficiency technologies; (2) support and encourage alternative power generation sources such as nuclear, solar, wind, bio fuels and hydro; and (3) intelligently develop existing, domestic low-carbon resources such as abundant, clean natural gas.

The practical task of changing how electricity is generated and used will not be achieved through some panacea, but through the intelligent coordination of multiple, scalable solutions which will take time and significant resources to reach. Natural gas is a major part of the solution, but we need to be realistic about what it will take to get to that carbon-neutral future and what the real costs entail.

Domestic Access = Security

Do Hacked E-mails Change Climate Debate?

Dave Parker — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:00:20 +0000

My latest comment from the National Journal’s Energy and Environment Experts blog.

Natural Gas Already Thinking Ahead

There is little doubt that the University of East Anglia’s e-mails provide fodder for those who oppose or even question the legitimacy of climate change. The apparent machinations brought to light by these justifiably scandalous e-mails do indeed cast doubt on the objective sincerity of some scientists. And they may very well draw into question these experts’ contributions to the objective debate surrounding global climate issues and of humanity’s contributing role.

Nonetheless, the fact remains that the issue of climate change is a top priority for the Obama administration and for Congress. For most observers, the overwhelming body of scientific evidence seems to have put the matter to rest, certainly in the eyes of many of those heading to Copenhagen. Only this week the Environmental Protection Agency officially declared greenhouse gas emissions a threat to human health.

What really matters right now is taking action to frame this wide-ranging debate in a way that provides both meaningful structure to address the world’s environmental challenges and allows for reasonable input from industries likely to be affected by any resulting regulation. Regardless of any action as a result of the Copenhagen negotiations, it should be noted that America’s natural gas utilities already have a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to being environmental stewards.

Terms like conservation and energy efficiency are not new to our industry; rather, they are our hallmarks. In fact, residential customers who use natural gas for heating have a carbon footprint today that is essentially the same as it was in 1970, even though the number of households using natural gas has grown from 38 million in 1970 to 65 million in 2009.

AGA will, therefore, continue to pursue the course we are already on – to encourage the use of clean, abundant, domestic natural gas in direct-use applications, as part of a low-carbon portfolio for energy generation and in innovative, effective ways such as the new generation of natural gas vehicles.