Natural gas is driving decarbonization efforts across the energy value chain. A new peer-reviewed study from Miami University of Ohio underscored the significant role of the U.S. shale revolution in creating a greener economy. Researchers found that natural gas development has led to an average annual reduction of 10.5 percent in CO2 emissions per capita, with overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions per capita decreasing by 7.5 percent annually. 

This study aligns with earlier findings from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which highlighted the environmental benefits of natural gas. The NETL report noted that the emissions intensity of the 2020 U.S. energy profile had decreased by 32 percent, largely due to the growing share of natural gas in the energy mix. As a result, natural gas has become a critical component in the nation’s power generation, ensuring reliable, affordable energy to American families and business. 

Currently responsible for 43 percent of U.S. electricity production, natural gas will be essential to powering our daily lives for decades to come. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright explained:  

“There is no physical way that wind, solar and batteries could replace the myriad uses of natural gas.”  

American-produced natural gas is among the cleanest in the world, largely due to leading operational standards upheld by domestic operators across the states. A recent EID analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data confirmed that methane emissions from the natural gas and oil industry have continued to decline, reflecting the industry’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. The country’s top oil and gas-producing basins have achieved a 44 percent reduction in methane emissions since 2011, while reaching record production highs. 

Since the shale revolution, natural gas production has been a cornerstone of American decarbonization. With the shift toward natural gas, which burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have been significantly reduced – resulting in a more sustainable energy landscape with a measurable impact on the environment. 

Increased natural gas production is a key solution to ensuring American producers can meet rapidly rising demand – both at home and abroad – while achieving emission reduction targets.   

Bottom Line: The Miami University study, alongside other recent research, highlights the natural gas industry’s role in helping the U.S. reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. With the continued adoption of innovative technologies and responsible practices, the shale gas sector is proving to be an essential part of the nation’s efforts to build a more sustainable energy future.