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U.S. Natural Gas Supply-Then There Was Abundance
I’d like to call attention to a prolific report on U.S. natural gas supply written by my colleague Chris McGill. The report, U.S. Natural Gas Supply- Then There Was Abundance, was released today by AGA with the purpose of addressing common questions about the natural gas supply picture in the United States and North America.
Written in Chris’ usual “cut to the chase” style, the report includes an informative Q&A section along with graphs to illustrate many of these points. It provides critical information about both conventional and unconventional sources of gas (deep-water! subsalt! arctic sands!) and about the transmission and importation of gas (what about Canada & Mexico?).
I always find it interesting that there are a healthy number of misconceptions about U.S. natural gas supply, despite the fact that natural gas fuels over half of American homes comfortably and reliably. Chris’ report addresses many of these unknowns.
Take a look and let us know what you think.
Natural Gas and The New American Home
Every year one of the highlights of the International Builders Show (IBS) is The New American Home (TNAH), the official showcase home of the convention. The 2009 TNAH, which features the revolutionary AISIN Gas Heat Pump, has been such a huge success that it remains open for tours for an 18 month period.
The 2010 TNAH, however, has met a different fate and is, in some ways, the poster child for the state of the new home construction industry. The home was about 75 percent complete in November when the builder ran out of money and could not, even after a concerted effort by the NAHB and allies throughout the country, obtain financing to finish the job. The bank foreclosed on the home on December 28 and the builder has gone out of business.
To its credit, the NAHB made lemonade out of this lemon by producing a very professional “virtual tour” of TNAH, and builders are lining up to view it. Numerous natural gas appliances are in the home, including the “Phoenix” solar/gas water heater from Heat Transfer Products, Inc. That product is in the AGA exhibit booth as is the Ecopower Microcogeneration (CHP) appliance sized for residential and small commercial applications. This unit, made by Marathon Engine Systems and fueled by natural gas, is running full time in our booth, producing all the electricity for the entire exhibit. We are not connected to the electric grid!
Despite the current condition of the housing industry, builder traffic in our exhibit has been excellent and there appears to be a lot of interest in the natural gas technology we are showcasing. The Natural Gas Home is truly a Green Home.
Natural Gas at The International Builders Show
The 2010 National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) International Builders Show (IBS) gets underway today in Las Vegas, Nevada. The expected attendance is around 55,000, nearly half the number that attended the IBS when it was held in Orlando just a few years ago.
This is a reflection of the state of the U.S. housing industry, to be sure, but the good news is that the fall off is almost entirely in the exhibitor category. The number of exhibitors, and the people they have sent to the Show, is off by some 40 percent, but the number of builders has actually held steady from last year.
Still, with over a half million square feet of exhibits, the annual IBS remains the largest light construction trade show in the world. A lot of corporations and organizations have been loyal exhibitors, including the American Gas Association, and the NAHB is expressing its gratitude.
At the Executive Board Meeting held on Saturday, a dozen exhibitors were recognized by name as they have exhibited continuously for over 50 years. The AGA was recognized for its record of 63 straight years, behind only the Kohler Company, the Masonite Corporation and GE, which have each exhibited for 65 years. And these long time exhibitors will be again be recognized on Thursday at the full NAHB Board of Directors Meeting attended by more than 5,000 people.
A large variety of gas equipment and appliances are on display at the IBS, not only in the AGA exhibit but also throughout the convention center in the exhibits of manufacturers of gas products. They point out the tremendous economic, environmental and performance benefits of using natural gas directly in the home. And not just in the home. The giant City Center Complex, a city within a city, just opened in Las Vegas and it is one heck of a natural gas direct use success story! It truly is the talk of the town and I will explain why in my next post.
True Blue Natural Gas Blog from the American Gas Association (AGA)- Beating the Heat with Summer LIHEAP Action Day
- “The Future of Natural Gas,” Meet Dr. Ernest J. Moniz, MIT
- Renewable Gas – Vision for a Sustainable Gas Network
- The Natural Gas Revolution
- The natural gas grid…the really smart grid
- Meeting the Route 66 guys
- Drilling 101
- ‘Drive To Inspire’ Rides Through Tulsa
- Congratulations to the AGA Awards of Merit Recipients
- Summer LIHEAP Action Day
