Running Out of Energy: Is the glass half full or half empty?
Which is it? Regarding U.S. natural gas the answer seems clear. Domestic natural gas reserves made their largest leap since records have been kept, increasing by more than 26 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) from year-end 2006 to year-end 2007, according to the Energy Information Administration (U.S. Department of Energy),
This occurred even though the reserves base was being drawn down by more than 19 Tcf during the same period, as domestic natural gas was produced to heat homes and fuel businesses. So, does the United States have a relatively clean energy resource that is growing – not precipitously declining? Can it be sustained? Sources of methane may include:
- Traditional production
- Unconventional resource development
- Aboveground coal to methane
- Underground coal gasification
- Landfill gas
- Agricultural biogas
- Wastewater treatment biogas
- Methane hydrates primarily located on continental margins
Is methane ultimately a renewable resource?
I can not say at this point that Mr. Obama will be responsible for destroying coal consumption in this country. His public personna has been one of pragmatism, however, it remains to be seen what public policy emerges from his administration. Having said that, I agree with you to the extent that it does not seem wise to be taking potenital domestic energy resources off the table when our economy and security are so closely tied to our domestic energy future. Chris McGill.
President-elect Obama has pledged to tax any new coal-to-energy producers out of business. This will reduce two sources of methane. I assume he will attempt to do all in his power to destroy current coal use. We may need even more domestic natural gas reserves. If coal is eliminated can gas fill the void? I’ll enjoy one of the new Schlitz beers while contemplating this disaster.
Web site is terrific but it needs a more human touch. What about a motorcycle story, say something like “Man completes 5K mile road trip for natural gas”?
Got your card and recognize the picture from it. Hope things are well. Mike