Increased natural gas supplies reducing CO2 emissions

Midland Reporter-Telegram:

The United States recorded the largest decrease in carbon dioxide emissions of any country last year, which representatives of Grow America’s Infrastructure Now credits to a transition from coal to natural gas.

The group, in partnership with the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, participated Thursday in a panel discussion that focused on the Permian Basin’s role in driving the energy industry.

Data from the International Energy Agency released this month shows carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. were down 140 million metric tons, or 2.9 percent, in 2019 compared to the year before. The IEA states this decline correlates with a 15 percent reduction in coal use.

“Natural gas is the reason CO2 emissions are down in this country,” said Craig Stevens, former chief spokesman for the U.S. Department of Energy, during Thursday’s panel.

He said that although the coal industry attempted to retrofit some of its plants, the availability of natural gas makes it an increasingly popular alternative.

IEA data shows natural gas now accounts for 37 percent of electricity generation in the U.S. Stevens said continued gas flaring at oil wells across the Permian Basin indicates there’s still plenty available.

The Permian Basin’s gas production is expected to double by the year 2025, according to data from midstream energy company Enterprise Products Partners. To keep up with the demand, three pipelines are currently in the works to transport gas out of the region.

Despite widespread national coverage of pipeline protests, geologist Bill Godsey said during the panel that pipelines are the safest way to transport natural gas – far safer than by train or truck.

“Pipelines are heavily regulated,” he said. “It’s not just ‘dig a hole and throw it in.’ It’s an extremely lengthy and difficult process to permit a pipeline.”
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Getting the pipelines in the ground to get it to market is the key to further reductions and stopping the excess flaring.  Texas' infrastructure is improving, but it is not there yet.  Getting LNG facilities online will also help in Texas and in the countries to which it is exported.