PAGE Statement on Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 26, 2024) – Today, the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) issued the below statement in response to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resource’s Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024:

The PAGE Coalition appreciates Chair Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso’s bipartisan work to keep the critical importance of modernizing our nation’s outdated and restrictive permitting system at the forefront of the national conversation.

In particular, we appreciate their focus on timely consideration of LNG export applications and look forward to working with Congress to build on this proposal and advance permitting reform that addresses pipeline infrastructure. Comprehensive permitting reform that includes timely LNG export approvals and pipeline infrastructure is a necessary investment that will strengthen national security, reduce global emissions, and stabilize U.S. natural gas supply to meet energy demands, while keeping prices low.

About PAGE 

The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of responsible energy companies, allied NGOs, labor unions and leading climate advocates dedicated to reducing global emissions by promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas. Learn more at https://www.pagecoalition.com/.

Download the Media Statement

PAGE Launches Ad Campaign Showing that Natural Gas is Broadly Supported by Voters Across Party Lines

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 18, 2024) – The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) this month launched a new D.C. advertising campaign highlighting recent polling results showing that voters, across party lines, support natural gas as an important energy source and want to see increased production of natural gas.

“Ahead of the 2024 election, it’s important for candidates, policymakers and their staff to understand where voters stand on critical energy issues, which rank among their top priorities this campaign season,” said Chris Treanor, Executive Director of PAGE. “Our ad campaign sends a clear message: a majority of voters support natural gas and want the energy source included as part of a steady energy transition.”

Targeted to Inside-the-Beltway energy policy leaders and elected officials, the WTOP radio, Massachusetts Ave, NE wallscape, and Capitol Hill mobile and digital billboard ads issue a call to action to visit www.listentovoters.com which reinforces the fact that natural gas expansion has broad bipartisan support, including:

Given this overwhelming backing of voters, policymakers should take the lead on positioning our country for a successful clean energy transition that reduces emissions, creates jobs, and strengthens the economy by supporting natural gas expansion.

The ad campaign will run through the month of July 2024.

About PAGE 

The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of responsible energy companies, allied NGOs, labor unions and leading climate advocates dedicated to reducing global emissions by promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas. Learn more at https://www.pagecoalition.com/.

Download the Media Statement

PAGE Responds to Federal Court Finding Illegality in LNG Export Pause

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2024) – Today, the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) issued the below statement regarding a federal court’s recent decision to reverse the Biden Administration’s U.S. LNG Export Pause:

Members of PAGE were pleased to see a federal court find illegality in the Biden Administration’s LNG Export Pause, approving a request from 16 U.S. states, including Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia, to lift the pause on new approvals for natural gas exports while the litigation against the rule unfolds.

The court also rightfully recognized the “undisputed” fact that natural gas is a cleaner alternative to coal. The ruling cited analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) that shows “burning natural gas for power emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants than other fossil fuels.” In fact, the Department of Energy’s own 2019 analysis concluded that the life cycle emissions of U.S. LNG exports to Europe and Asia are lower than regional coal and Russian gas on both a 20-year and 100-year basis.

As emphasized in PAGE’s January statement and letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, restricting the export capacity for U.S. LNG will have serious foreign policy implications and compromise future decarbonization progress. These realities were echoed by the federal court ruling, noting that the court had “reviewed voluminous studies… all of which boast of both the economic and environmental benefits of exporting natural gas.”

PAGE will continue to closely monitor and engage with the Administration to permanently end the pause so it does not continue to affect our national security and climate goals.

About PAGE 

The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of responsible energy companies, allied NGOs, labor unions and leading climate advocates dedicated to reducing global emissions by promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas. Learn more at https://www.pagecoalition.com/.

Download the Media Statement

Shying away from natural gas could cost candidates support in November

Pursuing perfection at the expense of the good would derail the climate progress we’ve achieved over the last several years 

Ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections, policymakers have only a few more months to make their case to the American people on how to address several critical issues, including the direction of energy and climate policy at the national level. 

Over the past two decades, the U.S. has made significant progress in reducing carbon emissions with the help of U.S. natural gas, which accounts for a substantial portion of the decrease. Additionally, the Biden Administration and Congress have successfully implemented a range of policies over the last several years to tackle the nation’s CO2 emissions further. 

Voters, including 80% of Democrats, want a steady transition to clean energy using all available resources.

However, rather than taking credit for these victories, some lawmakers have hesitated to voice their support for natural gas, fearing alienating voters and hurting their re-election chances. Ironically, for these policymakers, shying away from natural gas could do the reverse and hurt their re-election efforts.  

According to a new nationwide poll conducted by Impact Research and commissioned by the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE), 69% of voters, including most Democrats, support increasing natural gas production. 

Backfiring Ambition 

Pursuing perfection at the expense of the good could derail our climate goals and make it even more challenging to achieve the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. Climate-focused policymakers who fail to voice their support for affordable, reliable, and secure energy policies that include natural gas could face disappointing results at the ballot box in November. In fact, voters – including 80% of Democrats – want a steady transition to clean energy using all available resources according to the poll. 

Policymakers encountered a similar scenario in 1993 when the Democratic-controlled House passed a large, broad-based BTU energy tax policy featuring then-President Clinton's high-profile public push. While the bill failed in the Senate, it nevertheless proved consequential in the 1994 mid-terms – Democrats lost 54 seats and control of the House.  

More recently, Democrats pursued an overly ambitious cap-and-trade bill in 2010—the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill sought to impose a market-based system that would set a ceiling on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while allowing companies to trade permits to meet these requirements.  

Much like the BTU tax, the cap-and-trade bill never made it through the Senate, mainly because an independent EIA study commissioned by Senate Democrats found that it would increase energy prices. This misfire provided campaign fodder for Republicans during the election cycle, and Democrats paid the price at the ballot box, losing a historic 63 House seats during the 2010 mid-terms. 

Democrats still have time to support a popular solution responsible for a large portion of U.S. emissions reductions.

Lessons for 2024 

With half the world's population holding elections in 2024, politicians would be wise to learn from the past and support a steady, pragmatic, clean energy transition using all available resources.  

As we saw last month, the EU's Green Party faced significant losses in parliamentary elections. In contrast, opponents of highly restrictive EU climate policies saw substantial gains in countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.  

These results indicate that policymakers were moving faster on climate initiatives, impacting affordability and reliability, than voters were comfortable with. These losses may result in a dramatic shift in EU climate policy in the foreseeable future.   

EP Elections: The Shape of the New Parliament

As U.S. policymakers look onward, they currently sit at a significant crossroads. They can either pursue overly ambitious climate policies that voters don't support or embrace a proven approach to tackling global emissions and ensure our energy security by supporting U.S. natural gas.   

Candidates still have time to support a popular solution responsible for a large portion of U.S. emissions reductions. However, the clock is ticking, and voters have shown little patience with politicians who fail to heed public opinion.   

New poll finds that nearly 70% of voters support increasing natural gas production

There is a broad consensus that voters want natural gas to be part of a steady transition to clean energy 

Among a number of pressing issues, this November American voters will decide on the direction of energy and climate policy for years to come. Over the past three plus years, the Biden Administration and Congress have pursued a climate agenda that prioritized reducing emissions. Yet Democratic policymakers have shied away from publicly supporting the primary driver behind U.S. emissions reductions – natural gas – for fear of alienating voters. 

The reality is voters across party lines overwhelmingly want natural gas to play a role in the energy transition. That’s what a new nationwide poll conducted by Democratic polling firm Impact Research and commissioned by the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) found. Ahead of the upcoming election, climate-minded candidates would be wise to consider where voters stand on natural gas as an energy and climate solution. 

The poll found that voters are increasingly pragmatic about the energy transition, as 76% of voters and 80% of Democrats want the country to steadily transition to clean energy by using all options currently available to keep energy affordable and reliable. The appeal of this approach is growing rapidly, with support for a steady transition climbing 11 percentage points today compared to 2022. 

But what do Americans mean by a “steady” transition? The poll overwhelmingly shows that voters want the steady transition to feature natural gas.

Nearly 70% of voters are in favor of increasing natural gas production, including majorities of Democrats (59%) and Independents (63%).

Moderate Democratic support for increased production has progressed the most, with net support growing 10 percentage points since 2022. Natural gas, only slightly behind renewables, such as solar (84%) and wind energy (78%), is the top energy source voters want to see used more, with 67% in favor of increased usage.  

Widespread support for natural gas also extends to exporting the fuel to our allies. More than half of all voters (58%) and Democrats (63%) say it’s important to support our allies by providing reliable energy exports of natural gas. In the same vein, there is net support (+12 overall / +13 Democrats) for increasing the exportation of American-produced natural gas to allied nations. 

This support for natural gas is driven by reliability and affordability being top of mind for voters. Reducing energy costs is a top priority for a majority of voters across party lines, including 62% of moderate Democrats and 58% of Independents. Additionally, nearly 60% of voters believe that strengthening U.S. energy independence is vital for energy policy.

The results are clear: Democrats must be willing to meet voters where they are on climate solutions, which include natural gas. Recent history suggests that failing to balance emissions with affordability and reliability hurts Democrats at the polls. For example, Democrats suffered historic election losses following the unsuccessful cap-and-trade bill of 2010. It was nearly a decade following those votes before a majority of voters supported ambitious climate legislation. 

By aligning with the majority of voters and advocating for reliable, affordable, and clean energy, our leaders can better position themselves to drive a successful long-term energy transition that reduces emissions, creates jobs, and strengthens the economy. 

Nationwide Poll Shows Bipartisan Consensus (69%) that Voters Support Increasing Natural Gas Production

Amid concerns about energy reliability and affordability, 76% of voters want a steady transition to clean energy by using all options currently available

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2024 - A nationwide poll conducted by Democratic polling firm Impact Research finds bipartisan support for the increased production of natural gas, with 69% of all voters in favor and majorities of Democrats (59%), Independents (63%), and Republicans (85%). The poll also finds that three-quarters of voters overall want the country to steadily transition to clean energy by using all options currently available to keep energy affordable and reliable. This includes 80% of Democrats, which is a 7% increase since 2022.

The survey was commissioned by the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE), a non-partisan coalition of like-minded organizations dedicated to reducing global emissions by promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs, and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas.

“The message is clear: voters support natural gas as an energy source and want to see increased production. This poll demonstrates the salience of energy as an election issue for Americans, and candidates up and down the ballot should be focused on the solutions that the public supports,” said Chris Treanor, PAGE executive director. “By campaigning on and legislating for reliable, affordable, and clean energy, American policymakers can position our country to lead a successful long-term energy transition that reduces emissions, creates jobs, and strengthens the economy.”

Key findings from the nationwide poll of registered voters include:

Natural gas ranks top among energy sources just behind renewables.
Only slightly behind renewables, such as solar (84%) and wind energy (78%), natural gas is the top energy source voters want to see used more, with 67% in favor of increased usage.

Democrats’ support for natural gas production continues to climb.
Nearly 70% of voters support increasing natural gas production, including 59% of Democrats and with net support of more production increasing 10 points among moderate Democrats specifically since 2022.

Strengthening U.S. energy independence and reducing energy costs are the leading energy policy goals among American voters.
Reducing energy costs is a top priority for a majority of voters across party lines, including 62% of moderate Democrats and 58% of Independents. Additionally, nearly 60% of voters believe that strengthening U.S. energy independence is vital for energy policy.

Support for a steady clean energy transition that keeps energy affordable and reliable has increased since 2022.
Overall, voter preference for a steady clean energy transition has increased by 11%, from 65% in 2022 to 76% today. Among Democrats, preference for a steady transition has increased by 7%, from 73% in 2022 to 80%, but notably has increased by 9%, from 67% to 76%, among Democrats under 50 who are typically the most bullish on the transition to renewables.

A majority of voters believe it is important for the U.S. to support our Western Allies by providing reliable energy exports, and there is support for increasing natural gas exports.
More than half of all voters (58%) and Democrats (63%) say it’s important to support our allies by providing reliable energy exports of natural gas.In the same vein, there is net support (+12 overall / +13 Democrats) for increasing the exportation of American-produced natural gas to allied nations.

“This polling data reveals important insights as we near Election Day, showing broad bipartisan support for natural gas production – particularly among Democrats,” said Luke Martin, Vice President at Impact Research. “While reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change are priorities for Democrats, so is reducing energy costs. That’s why voters across the board favor a steady transition to cleaner energy that is both affordable and reliable, with natural gas as a key part of that solution.”

Impact Research’s survey was a nationwide poll of 1,000 registered voters with an over sample of 500 Democrats conducted between April 9-15, 2024. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 and +/- 3.5 for the overall Democratic sample.

About PAGE

The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of responsible energy companies, allied NGOs, labor unions and leading climate advocates dedicated to reducing global emissions by promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas. Learn more at https://www.pagecoalition.com/.

Download the Media Statement

Pausing Global Coal-to-Natural Gas Conversions Will Substantially Slow Pace of Emissions Reductions

It is imperative that the Energy Department reverse course and allow natural gas to continue as a driver of cleaner, more secure energy worldwide.

With global CO2 emissions rising, President Biden has rightfully adopted firm climate commitments through landmark legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act and notable executive actions on methane emissions. 

However, the Department of Energy's (DOE) recent decision to pause pending approvals of liquified natural gas (LNG) exports is contrary to this pattern of firm climate policy. Pausing U.S. LNG exports will force nations worldwide to turn to dirtier, less reliable forms of energy, such as coal, making it increasingly difficult to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.   

The administration says the pause is to study natural gas's climate impacts, but gas has already proven to be a climate solution. Delaying our exports will force our allies to look elsewhere to meet their energy needs, which is why the administration must reverse course and allow natural gas to continue to be the driver of cleaner, more secure energy on a global scale. 

New research from the International Energy Agency shows coal-to-gas switching was the most significant driver behind U.S. energy sector emissions reductions in 2023.

U.S. natural gas is the cleanest, most reliable baseload energy source  

The U.S. has provided a model showing that phasing out dirty coal-fired power plants and replacing them with low-carbon natural gas is a pivotal part of the global energy transition. 

New research from the International Energy Agency shows coal-to-gas switching was the most significant driver behind U.S. energy sector emissions reductions in 2023. Coal-to-gas switching has also helped the U.S. reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% over the last two decades.  

The natural gas industry is also making rapid progress in reducing methane emissions, cementing natural gas's role in the energy transition. The sector is proving it's taking methane seriously, leading to a 23% reduction in U.S. energy industry methane emissions from 2020 through 2022. Only an additional 7% decline is needed by 2030 to meet the global methane pledge. 

This methane progress is only growing natural gas's positive climate impact. It builds on the DOE's 2019 study, which concluded that the life cycle emissions of U.S. LNG exports to Europe and Asia are lower than those of regional coal and Russian gas. 

The natural gas export pause will harm allies 

Despite the clear environmental benefits of increasingly low-carbon natural gas, Biden’s pause on LNG exports makes it exceedingly difficult to achieve our global climate goals. 

Without a reliable energy supply, our allies could once again become dependent on dirtier, less secure, and less reliable energy from undemocratic countries like Russia, Iran, and Qatar. This situation has already proven true with a resurgence in global coal use, with Germany and other EU members activating once-dormant coal plants to ensure stable energy supplies.  

Without natural gas, we cannot facilitate the clean energy transition 

Another key ramification of the pause is that it will significantly impact the developing world's decarbonization ability. According to McKinsey & Company, combating climate change is likely only possible if developing countries achieve clean, low-carbon economies. These changes can also help generate increased capital and economic opportunities in these regions.

To help facilitate a just and global clean energy transition, the Biden Administration has invested over $200 million to expand access to renewable energy in Africa. While these efforts are laudable, renewables alone cannot generate the baseload of energy the countries need. Furthermore, developing countries need approximately $1.7 trillion annually worth of renewable energy investments, making natural gas a far more financially feasible option. 

The science is clear—U.S. natural gas is a crucial emissions reduction driver and is critical to achieving the world's climate goals.

These shortcomings have been notable in countries like China, where declining hydropower production due to droughts has brought about a resurgence in coal use, thereby diminishing other progress on renewables. Today, China emits the most energy-related CO2 emissions globally and could remain in that position through 2050 as it doubles down on coal. 

The good news is that natural gas is the ideal complement to renewables to facilitate the energy transition. Together, their energy outputs ensure stable production flows while providing both developed and developing countries access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. 

The bottom line

The science is clear—U.S. natural gas is a crucial emissions reduction driver and is critical to achieving the world's climate goals. However, the Biden Administration has implemented an energy policy that will counter the very goals it has committed to achieving. 

By expanding natural gas production and sending it to coal-reliant regions, we can export a proven climate solution to the world. 

PAGE Responds to U.S. House Considering a LNG Export License Pause Reversal in Foreign Aid Packages

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 17, 2024) – Today, Executive Director of Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) Chris Treanor issued the below statement in response to recent reports that U.S. House leaders may include a provision to end the Department of Energy’s (DOE) liquefied natural gas (LNG) export license approval pause along with foreign aid packages:

The Administration is rightfully urging Congress to pass foreign aid funding that supports our allies against ongoing aggression from adversaries. However, the effort to restore peace is incomplete without ensuring global energy security.

Including a provision that ends the LNG export license approval pause is vital for U.S. foreign policy and climate goals: it ensures the continued delivery of LNG exports to our allies, so they are less reliant on authoritarian regimes for energy and do not backslide into dirtier energy sources – like coal and Russian and Iranian gas. LNG export growth since 2016 has reduced emissions, created jobs and kept prices low, making the pause an unnecessary interruption to wait for public impact that is already well-established.

PAGE strongly urges Congress to include a provision reversing the LNG export license approval pause in legislation that provides foreign aid to our allies. We will remain actively engaged with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and the Administration to advance a bipartisan solution that protects our allies from military and energy aggression.

About PAGE 

The Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) is a coalition of responsible energy companies, allied NGOs, labor unions and leading climate advocates dedicated to reducing global emissions by promoting U.S. policies that protect the climate, strengthen the economy, lower energy costs and bolster energy security through the production and export of cleaner natural gas.

Download this Media Statement

Comparative GHG Footprint Analysis for European and Asian Supplies of USLNG, Pipeline Gas, and Coal

The BRG Energy & Climate practice (BRG E&C) has undertaken an independent life cycle analysis (LCA) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of US liquefied natural gas (USLNG) and competing fossil fuels used for power generation in 13 destination markets.

Read the Full Report
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