Energy Milestone: Natural Gas and Coal Had the Same Share of Electricity Generation in April
The Energy Information Administration reported this week that for the first time since it began keeping monthly records, "natural gas and coal had the same share of total net generation of electricity at 32% during April 2012 (see chart above)."
This is one more reason that America's natural gas windfall represents "one of the most important developments for the economy in the last 60 years," as reported earlier*1.
In the process of creating thousands of jobs and saving natural gas customers billions of dollars, the shale revolution has also significantly reduced carbon emissions as electricity producers have switched from dirty coal to clean, cheap natural gas. It's really no exaggeration to say that the United States really managed to "hit the energy jackpot" with shale gas.
HT: Robert Kuehl
Link:
CARPE DIEM: Energy Milestone: Natural Gas and Coal Had the Same Share of Electricity Generation in April
Martin Neil Baily, senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution, and Philip Verleger, president of PKVerleger and visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, emphasize in their recent CNN article that America "hit the energy jackpot" with oil and shale gas, making it "one of the most important developments for the U.S. economy in the last 60 years." Here are some excerpts:
*1
Natural Gas Windfall is One of The Most Important Economic Developments in the Last 60 Years
On an energy-equivalent basis, natural gas remains 87% cheaper than oil, equivalent to a price of $14 per barrel.
Martin Neil Baily, senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution, and Philip Verleger, president of PKVerleger and visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, emphasize in their recent CNN article that America "hit the energy jackpot" with oil and shale gas, making it "one of the most important developments for the U.S. economy in the last 60 years." Here are some excerpts:
"Shale extraction... is pushing down energy prices and creating many new opportunities for jobs, investments and manufacturing.
And
the new innovations are unique to the United Sates. Although other
countries will exploit shale, none will come close to the low costs in
the U.S. That's because the U.S. has a unique governmental structure in
which many powers remain with the states, along with a very competitive
market for the product, as opposed to the monopolies and oligopolies
that control the market in almost every other country.
While it may sound like the latest energy fad, the shale boom
is for real and a serious game changer because of its size and
potential longevity. Based on equivalent amounts of energy, natural gas
has been about half as expensive as oil for many years (MP: See chart
above, gas has actually been closer to 80% less expensive since the use
of fracking increased significantly in 2008-2009).
Cheap gas may not be enough to offset the drag of a slowing global
economy this year, but it will boost long-term investment, help the
beleaguered manufacturing sector and increase exports.
Building petrochemical plants could suddenly become attractive in the United States. Manufacturers will "reshore"
production to take advantage of low natural gas and electricity prices.
Energy costs will be lower for a long time, giving a competitive
advantage to companies that invest in America, and also helping American
consumers who get hit hard when energy prices spike.
After years of bad economic news, the natural gas windfall is very good news. Let's make the most of it."
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