United States is leading the world in carbon dioxide emissions reductions .
Natural gas continues to have a positive impact on the economy, environment and consumer’s pockets. According to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), net U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have declined by 14 percent between 2005 and 2017. During this same time, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the U.S declined by 28 percent, which is more than any other country.
The EPA report states that factors contributing to decreased CO2 emissions include “a continued shift from coal to natural gas.” The primary cause for the large CO2 emission reduction is the transition from coal-fired to natural gas-powered electricity production.
EPA Report Key Findings:
- CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion decreased by 825.0 MMT CO2 Eq. from 2005 levels, a decrease of approximately 14.4 percent between 2005 and 2017
- The electric power sector generators used natural gas for approximately 31 percent of their total energy requirements in 2017
Another annual report, this time from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated that the ongoing shift to using natural gas in place of higher-emitting forms of energy is the primary reason for the United States’ reduction in energy related carbon emissions.
Thanks to natural gas, The United States is ahead of all countries in reducing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
From 2005 to 2017 natural gas production in the U.S. increased by 54 percent, due to hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling technology. At the same time, the share of electricity produced natural gas increased from 19 percent to 32 percent.
The EIA stated, “Natural gas can be credited for 61 percent of the total 3.86 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide reductions from electric generation since 2005 and non-carbon sources can be credited with the remainder of the reductions.”
Range Resources continues to improve as a leading U.S. independent natural gas and NGL producer by leveraging new, innovative practices to further maximize the opportunities natural gas provides to our economy and our environment. Learn more about Range’s emissions reduction efforts in the companies Corporate Sustainability Report.