As Earth Day approaches on Tuesday, climate activists remind us of the importance of cutting carbon emissions. Yet, one inconvenient truth escapes their green-tinged talking points: The rise of natural gas in our power sector is the No. 1 driver of the reduction of emissions in the United States, not wind or solar.
If we want affordable and reliable power while being responsible stewards of the environment, natural gas is our most significant comparative advantage in the United States.
Between 2005 and 2019, the U.S. reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 800 million metric tons. The U.S. Energy Information Administration credits nearly two-thirds of that reduction to natural gas.
Zoom in more closely and you’ll find the same trend in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State—a powerhouse of energy production thanks to the development of the Marcellus Shale and the second-largest producer of natural gas in the nation—reduced its power-sector carbon emissions by nearly 11% in one year—the most significant year-over-year drop in decades.
Its emissions success story also comes from a market transition from coal to natural gas. Natural gas comprises 60% of Pennsylvania’s power generation, while 31% comes from nuclear, 5% from coal, and 4% from renewables (wind and solar). With this resource mix, Pennsylvania is one of only three states in the region that have successfully reduced emissions while increasing energy production.
Natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale region propelled the United States from being a net importer to the world’s largest exporter of natural gas. Today, Pennsylvania is the country’s top exporter of electricity.
Yet top Democrats—and some Republicans—remain duty-bound to the climate agenda and green energy donors. Instead of celebrating natural gas as a boon to both our energy independence and the environment, climate alarmists continue to vilify the industry. And by doing so, Pennsylvania Democrats continue to lash out against the sector that’s been giving Pennsylvania a competitive advantage.
For starters, former Gov. Tom Wolf entered Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through an unconstitutional executive order in 2019. The initiative is a multistate cap-and-trade program intended to force states to lower their carbon emissions through a carbon tax placed on energy producers and, ultimately, consumers through increased energy prices. Some estimates suggest the initiative will cost the commonwealth up to 22,000 energy jobs and raise consumers’ electricity bills by a whopping 30%.
Fortunately, good constitutional governance intervened. The Commonwealth Court ruled that Wolf’s actions were illegal, stating clearly that a governor has no authority to unilaterally levy taxes without legislative approval. Gov. Josh Shapiro, Wolf’s successor, took up the torch and appealed the decision. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about the legality of Pennsylvania’s entry into the initiative on May 13. The initiative remains dormant while litigation is ongoing.
All litigation aside, the fact remains that Pennsylvania’s participation in a scheme like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is completely unnecessary. The Keystone State already has a proven track record of reducing emissions without causing energy scarcity simply by following the market-led push for natural gas. Greater natural gas development has brought the state greater energy independence, more reliable electricity, stable jobs, and—much to the chagrin of climate activists—fewer carbon emissions.
In fact, Pennsylvania has reduced its emissions more efficiently than states that are already participating in the initiative. Between 2018 and 2023, Pennsylvania’s emissions dropped by 9 million metric tons. Meanwhile, New York—a member of the initiative and a state with about 6 million more people than Pennsylvania—dropped only 1 million metric tons.
Moreover, states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative are struggling to contain costs. The Department of Environmental Protection in New Jersey, a state that is one of the initiative’s original charter members, noted that “participating RGGI states already have some of the highest retail electricity rates in the nation, with six of the nine states in the top 10, and increased energy costs should be of major concern.” Carbon taxes touch every corner of the economy and raise costs for families and businesses.
To avoid the initiative’s inevitable fallout, some Democrats have tried to cleverly rebrand the scheme. For example, Shapiro rebranded the Democrats’ climate agenda through a series of new green-energy efforts known as the Lightning Plan. Layered inside this plan is the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act, Shapiro’s homegrown, state-specific version of the initiative. His new agenda diminishes the natural gas industry’s role that led the commonwealth toward cleaner, more reliable energy.
But just like every Green New Deal knockoff, Shapiro’s policy package lacks political acumen. All these proposals, which prop up less-reliable energy sources by setting mandates for renewable energy usage and enacting burdensome red tape that slows down permitting and production for fuels like oil and natural gas, put energy security at risk and cost Americans in terms of jobs and energy prices.
On Election Day 2024, voters rejected the Left’s climate alarmist agenda in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Those who remained skeptical of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ flip-flop on fracking for oil and natural gas instead embraced President Donald Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” strategy.
Natural gas will help usher in a new era of American energy dominance—one that’s more reliable, secure, affordable, and—despite what the alarmists claim—cleaner.
So, if there’s one thing that environmentalists should celebrate this Earth Day, it’s natural gas.
André Béliveau is the senior manager of energy policy at the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank.
Reprinted with permission from The Daily Signal by Andre Beliveau.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
And interesting juxtaposition of articles posted on today’s AMAC website.
First, this article: “Hooray for Natural Gas” and three articles later, a second article: “Hooray for Coal”.
Ever look at the huge amount of CO2 production that comes from the food and beverage industry? Every time you pop that tab on your favorite beverage it should remind you (that’s CO2 you hear hissing out). From fermentation (produces CO2) to manufacturing processes, we ignore the huge amount of CO2 from the food and beverage industry. Doesn’t bother me, I don’t think it has diddly squat to do with earths climate. But the Left never mentioned it. Why is that?
Oh and I say “drill, baby, drill’ also!
I worked in construction from the 90s till I retired in 2010 traveling the country first welding then doing welding inspection on coal fired power plants installing “scrubbers” on the stacks per EPA requirements. The worst case in my experience was a coal fired power plant in Nebraska. When I got there my first day, there was a smoke trail from the stack to the western horizon. When We completed installation of the “scrubber” there was NO smoke from the stack period. On a cold morning you could see a little moisture (condensation) from the stack, NO SMOKE or particulates. Natural gas is good and nuclear is good if a little scary. Because of my experience, I don’t have any problem with coal fired power plants, They are cheaper and reliable.
First things first carbon is not causing climate change and is not warming the planet it is not a poison. Percentage of carbon in our atmosphere used to be about twice what it is now in the temperature was lower. But try not to confuse the radical environmentalist with facts. Democrats will always oppose natural gas because it cost less. They’re ultimate goal is to burn this nation to the ground so they can rule over the ashes. I still can absolutely not believe people are buying into the climate change hoax! So biggest hoax has ever been perpetrated on the world. I graduated from high school when they started this nonsense. You repeat a lie often enough people accept it is truth and that’s exactly what’s happened. They have yet to make a prediction that has been true. It’s all computer-based models and they’re all wrong. Quit drinking the Kool-Aid people
Natural Gas is important to USA. It’s clean, abundant, energy resource. Thank the Lord, President Trump has ceased the war against our abundant energy resources. The last Administration was totally impotent regarding every important issue facing the welfare of America and its Legalized Citizens. Their terrible record is an Historical Fact now.
Earth Day should be renamed “Hippie Day”.
Pollution is always a maintain concern by should be regulated with crippling our inferstructer!
Well then we need to curtail the use of natural gas. WE NEED AS MUCH ATMODPHERIC CO2 AS WE CAN PUMP OUT!
Canada pipeline supplies +80% of NG to operate the Avista Rathdrum Prairie power generation plant in Idaho. My question is why would USA ever put tariffs on Canada that will just cost US customers more. We need Canada & Canada needs us, so why start a trade war with Canada?
Trump bashed the Fed many times during his first term & one time even wanted interest rate to be zero percent. Now, he is is threatening to get replace the Fed Chair as he does not like him & does not agree with him. I suggest Trump review history lessons regarding inflation and recession in the last 70 years and see how the Fed created a soft landing. Getting rid of Powell at this time could possibly upset the US economy & severely harm the strong value of our US dollar . Please stop and think of the consequences of any action regarding the Fed. Plus the Fed has been around since 1913 and has a lot of history to review.
Pennsylvanians got what they voted for. Let them suffer the consequences.