Critical Issues
Our members are committed to the safe and responsible development of natural gas to bring these abundant, clean and American resources to market, while supporting more than 2.8 million jobs in the process. With the start of the shale gas "revolution" has also come increased focus on this energy resource. Below are some resources to help you make sense of what's being said, and learn more about the development process.
Seismic Activity
Have questions about recent reports of seismic activity and natural gas development? Minor and impreceptible seismic activity is extremely common. In fact, roughly 1.3 million 2-2.9 magnitude quakes happen every year around the world.
Safe and Responsible Development
Modern technology is enabling natural gas companies to safely and responsibly unlock an abundant supply of clean natural gas - right here in America - that can power our nation for generations to come.
Job Creation
Not only does natural gas support more than 2.8 million jobs, but it contributes hundreds of billions to the U.S. economy.
- IHS Global Insight estimates in a recent study that the shale gas industry will support more than 1.6 million jobs. Read the shale jobs study.
- Want a summary of the recent IHS Global Insight shale gas jobs study? Download it here.
Natural Gas Vehicles
Businesses and communities across the country are turning to natural gas vehicles to save money at the pump, utilize an abundant and domestic fuel - all while reducing harmful emissions.
Gasland Film
With natural gas developers committed to the safe and responsible development of this resource, environmental regulators have called this film "fundamentally dishonest" in its characterization of the process and it's proven track record. We examined key claims made in this film and found significant factual errors.
New York Times Series
Have questions about the recent New York Times series on natural gas? Many critical facts about the state of natural gas development in the United States were overlooked and/or outright ignored in this series. There are a number of resources to help you understand the vast nature of America's domestic natural gas supplies and how they benefit the communities in which we do our work.
- Want to read NY Times Public Editor Arthur S. Brisbane's two responses to this coverage? ("Why Redacting E-Mails Is a Bad Idea," July 30, 2011 and "Clashing Views on the Future of Natural Gas," July 16, 2011)
Howarth Study on Carbon Emissions of Natural Gas
A recent study by Cornell University's Robert Howarth and Anthony Ingraffea inaccurately claims that natural gas is more carbon-intensive than coal. A wide array of highly credentialed scientists and experts are stepping forward to challenge this reckless claim and explain the faulty methodology that produced this patently false conclusion.
- Cornell scientists rebut their colleague's findings. Read the initial report here.
Duke Study on Methane
Authors of this Duke study found thermogenic methane in some places where there is natural gas production. They also found thermogenic methane in areas where there is no natural gas production. So the study appears to validate an important and often misunderstood point: The existence of methane in the environment is often due to naturally occurring geological phenomena that has no relation to natural gas development.
Hear Our Voices
Want to hear from people who have benefited from natural gas development in their community? Check out our Hear Our Voices video series.
More Information
Want more information on natural gas? Visit our Links and Resources page for the latest information on the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of this resource.
