U.S. Energy Industry Committed to Reducing Emissions
September 19, 2018
The U.S. natural gas and oil industry keeps hitting new energy production records while, at the same time, driving progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
- Methane emissions from natural gas production are down 14 percent since 1990 – while natural gas output increased more than 50 percent over the same period. Methane is the primary constituent of natural gas, and minimizing its release is a top priority from both an environmental and business standpoint.
- The United States leads the world in cutting carbon. Increased use of natural gas is the main reason U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are at 25-year lows, providing Americans with the cleanest air in years.
- Increased use of domestic natural gas has also helped reduce ozone concentrations in the air by 17 percent since 2000.
Industry innovation has been the driving force behind this success. Second only to the federal government in spending on climate innovation and research, the industry continually enhances technology and best practices to improve the environmental performance of our products and operations – operations, it bears repeating, that produce the natural gas responsible for reducing nationwide carbon emissions.
Federal regulators are working toward regulatory reforms to advance air quality and conserve resources, while also allowing safe and responsible energy production that benefits us all. As government agencies pursue reforms, it’s worth reviewing U.S. progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
America’s natural gas and oil industry is guided by its own best-in-class standards and a broad commitment to reduce methane and other emissions. Data confirm our success in reducing emissions, and science-based reforms to make regulations smarter, more efficient and more cost-effective can help those welcome trends continue.
Sincerely,
Mike Sommers
President and CEO
API