WRI Stories Feed: Shale Gas

U.S. Natural Gas Exports: Friend or Foe?

James Bradbury — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:47 -0400

U.S. natural gas production is booming. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), production grew by 23 percent from 2007 to 2012. Now—with production projected to continue…

5 Reasons Why It’s (Still) Important to Reduce Fugitive Methane Emissions

James Bradbury — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:05:14 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report. Using new data and information, the EPA lowered…

6 Top Environment and Development Stories to Watch in 2013

Andrew Steer — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:17:17 -0500

This post originally appeared on Bloomberg.com.

As we enter 2013, there are signs of growth and economic…

Chinese Leaders and WRI Experts Share Knowledge on Low-Carbon Development

Sarah Parsons — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:44:21 -0400

China and the United States have a lot in common. China’s rapid economic development and America’s industry have turned the two nations into world’s largest…

How the EPA’s New Oil and Gas Standards Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Michael Obeiter — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:07:49 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued final rules to reduce air pollution at natural gas wells and other sources in the oil and gas industry. The…

What Shale Gas in China Means for the United States

Sarah Forbes — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:13:36 -0500

Today I testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission during a hearing on China’s Global Quest for Resources and Implications…

STATEMENT: WRI Response to 2012 State of the Union Address

Michael Oko — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:37:22 -0500

In response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech, following is a statement from Manish Bapna, Interim President, World Resources Institute:

“In his speech tonight, President Obama reiterated his vision for American’s energy future—a vision based on expanded energy production at home and less dependence on energy from abroad.

“The president declared that he is not going to ‘walk away’ from his commitment to clean energy. Despite the naysayers, President Obama doubled-down on clean energy, calling for a renewed commitment to energy that will create jobs and protect the environment.

“Expanding investment in clean energy can help America rebuild its manufacturing base, drive innovation, and create more jobs. The president also pointed out that government can play an important role in helping new technologies come to fruition, including through important incentives and policies to help the United States compete in the global clean energy race.

“As the president said, passing federal climate legislation may be too politically challenging today. But greater investment in clean energy can help drive down greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, leaders in Washington need to come back to the table to move forward with a comprehensive national response to climate change.

“President Obama also called for expanded development of natural gas. Natural gas is a potential game-changer for domestic energy production, but its full picture remains unclear. The president’s emphasis on additional incentives in clean energy– in wind, in solar, in batteries– are an important first step in ensuring renewable energy can compete with natural gas.

“Natural gas should be part of America’s low-carbon energy mix, but it must be pursued carefully to ensure that proper environmental and social safeguards are in place. We need to ensure that natural gas complements rather than displaces cleaner alternatives, such as wind and solar.

“It’s well past time for leaders in Washington and across the country not just to listen, but to act on America’s clean energy promise. America should embrace a national energy plan that provides the clarity and certainty our country– especially our businesses– need to move to a cleaner, lower-carbon future.”

Shale Gas: Time to Look Before We Leap Any Further

Janet Ranganathan — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:20:51 -0500

Shale gas is a game-changer for global energy supply. It is already transforming the U.S. energy outlook, and is expected to deliver over 40% of domestic gas production by 2025 (Figure 1). Other…

Shale Gas: Friend or Foe?

Manish Bapna — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:17:29 -0500

A Special Letter from WRI Interim President Manish Bapna

Development of shale gas resources has sparked a fierce debate in the United States. Extraction of natural gas from shale via hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, has opened broad areas of the country to extensive development for natural gas production. This has brought new economic opportunities while raising serious environmental concerns at the same time.

Proponents call it an abundant, clean energy source that will reignite the economy. Opponents see it as little more than another dangerous fossil fuel, whose development is capable of poisoning our drinking water. Regardless of where you sit on the issue, the fact is that shale gas is fundamentally changing our energy future.

Source: Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook

At WRI, we don’t shy away from contentious issues. By supporting WRI, you enable us to initiate new projects and respond quickly to emerging issues, like shale gas.

Many organizations are focusing now on the local impacts to water, human health, and habitat brought about by fracking, and we support their efforts wholeheartedly. Given our strengths and expertise, we believe WRI’s best role is to focus on climate and energy policy issues, asking tough questions, bringing all sides to the table, and creating strategies that link global economic recovery and energy development with environmental protection and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

It’s the type of challenge where WRI’s reputation for solid analysis and for finding collaborative solutions can make a real difference.

Energy companies often call shale gas a clean fuel because burning it releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than burning coal does. But, this is only part of the equation. There are, for example, emissions from methane (a gas that aggravates global warming) associated with shale gas development that need to be accounted for. There are emissions too from the generation of energy required in the processing phase and from the fuel used in mining and disposal of waste.

In an effort to inform public policy and dispel the confusion and competing claims, WRI will conduct independent analysis to quantify the full range of greenhouse gas emissions across the entire shale gas development lifecycle. In doing so, we will not only provide reliable data, but also identify points in the shale gas supply chain where we can help find solutions to minimize emissions through the application of best practices and regulatory approaches.

The second phase of our work will analyze the role that natural gas, and the increased use of shale gas in particular, will play in U.S. and global energy markets in the coming decades. We will work with our industry and environmental partners to build the case for policies and investment strategies that maximize the value added of natural gas as part of a transition to a low-carbon economy without postponing or sacrificing the development of solar and wind energy. This will provide a strategic opportunity to engage policymakers on the long-term role for natural gas in the U.S. and world energy future, integrating climate change considerations into economic development and energy policy.

Shale gas has the potential to provide clear economic opportunities and energy security benefits if developed in the right way. That’s a big if, and we need your support to help make sure our environment is protected as the country explores this natural resource.

As you consider your year-end giving, please consider a gift to WRI. The great shale gas race is on, and time is of the essence.

Sincerely,

Manish Bapna Interim President