A NEW ENERGY OPTION: North America’s New Natural Gas Resources And Their Potential Impact On Energy and Climate Security



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. Introduction................................................................................................................... 1
II. North America’s New Natural Gas Boom.....................................................................6
Future Estimates and Current Production..........................................................6
Technological Drivers......................................................................................14
Natural Gas Is Cleaner Than Major Other Fuels.............................................16
Local Environmental Concerns........................................................................18
III. Implications For U.S. Climate Change Legislation....................................................22
Overview of U.S. Cap-and-Trade Bills............................................................23
The Debate Over Natural Gas..........................................................................26
The Case For Fuel-Switching Incentives.........................................................29
IV. International Implications...........................................................................................35
The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Market......................................................35
Global Shale Gas Resources............................................................................37
National Gas Developments: China, India and Israel......................................40
V. Conclusion...................................................................................................................43
Endnotes
About The American Clean Skies Foundation


INDEX TO TEXT BOXES AND FIGURES
Text Boxes Page
A. Understanding Natural Gas Statistics............................................................................8
B. Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences
of Energy Production and Use National Research Council, 2009...............................21
C. ACSF’s Bridge Fuel Credit Proposal To Incentivize
Fuel Switching In the U.S............................................................................................29
D. World Bank Clean Technology Fund Criteria For Financing
Natural Gas Fuel-Switching.........................................................................................34
E. U.S.-China Shale Gas Resource Initiative………………...........................................41
F. Next Up, Methane Hydrates? ......................................................................................44
Figures
1. Map of U.S Shale Gas Basins..................................................................................9
2. Rig Count and Productions for Shale Gas Basins..................................................11
3. Lowest Break Even Prices For Shale Gas Basins..................................................12
4. Top 20 U.S. Natural Gas Producers (2008-2009)..................................................14
5. Fossil Fuel Emission Levels..................................................................................17
6. Shale Gas Drilling Schematic................................................................................19
7. U.S. Installed Base of Electricity Generation
By Fuel Source and Utilization Rate 2008............................................................31
8. Major LNG Exports and Imports...........................................................................36
9. World Wide Shale Reserve Potential ……………………………………............38
10. 2007 Global Electricity Generation by Fuel Source..............................................39