Study shows U.S. LNG reduces worldwide GHG emissions -

ICF Study Shows U.S. LNG Exports Reduce Global GHG Emissions

Last week, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future (NACEF) and the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE) convened a bipartisan group of current and former congressional leaders, staff and industry to discuss the results of an ICF study analyzing the lifecycle emissions of U.S. LNG exports and how they compare to alternative fuels.

Key findings from the study include:

Shifting from U.S. LNG to coal increases GHG emissions by 47.7% to 85.9%. Shifting U.S. LNG to fuel oil increases emissions by 24.8% to 41.8%.

Without U.S. LNG exported abroad, that energy would be replaced with 54% coal, 34% fuel oil, 16% domestic natural gas, and 7.8% renewable sources.

The limited number of studies that show US LNG as having more LCA emissions than coal tend to use outlier data, apply questionable emission factors that differ greatly from the U.S EPA GHG inventory and the GREET factors designated by Congress in the Inflation Reduction Act, highlight improbable scenarios, and fail to account for relative end-user fuel efficiencies which favor natural gas.

ICYMI - PAGE launches new D.C. advertising campaign

The ads highlight recent polling results showing that voters across party lines support natural gas.

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New Report Analyzes Lifecycle GHG Emissions Of U.S. LNG Exports

The Study, commissioned by NACEF and PAGE, and conducted by ICF, “Lifecycle GHG Emissions of U.S. LNG Exports: Concepts, Methodologies, Data and Results,” shows that U.S. LNG exports are likely to have represented a net reduction in the world’s GHG emissions compared to the mix of alternative fuels (primarily coal and oil) that would have likely substituted for the LNG exports had they hypothetically not existed in 2022.

Shying Away From Natural Gas Could Cost Candidates Support In November

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.

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.

A Major Paper on Liquified Natural Gas Emissions Is Riddled with Errors

Domestically, the shale revolution was the primary driver of the marked displacement of U.S. coal power production, shrinking coal power from 43% of nationwide generation in 2011 to 16% today and reducing emissions not just in the power sector, but across the broader economy.

Despite this success story, dubious published analyses and claims in public-facing news outlets have long cast doubt on natural gas's climate advantage over coal power. The technical basis for these assertions, which have drawn push back, revolves around largely incorrect interpretations of the scientific literature on methane leakage rates.

PAGE Statement On Energy Permitting Reform Act Of 2024

(July 26, 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."

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Study shows U.S. LNG reduces worldwide GHG emissions