Natural Gas
Advancing America
Fast
Facts
More than 189 million Americans and 5.6 million businesses use
natural gas because it is affordable,
reliable, safe and essential to improving our environment.
The American Gas Association is committed to reducing greenhouse gas
emissions through smart innovation, new and modernized infrastructure, and advanced technologies that
maintain reliable, resilient and affordable energy service choices
for consumers.
A Message From the AGA
Chair of the Board
“Natural gas is an essential cornerstone of America’s energy portfolio and will continue to play a vital role in meeting our nation's energy needs and environmental goals.”
Natural gas is an essential cornerstone of America’s energy portfolio and will continue to play a vital role in meeting our nation's energy needs and environmental goals. Natural gas and the critical infrastructure used to deliver it also play an important part in ensuring a safe, reliable, affordable and increasingly cleaner energy mix for consumers across the country. The natural gas we deliver brings value to customers big and small — fueling the kitchens that prepare food to nourish friends, families and neighbors; keeping our homes safe and warm in the winter and cool in the summer; and energizing an advanced manufacturing revolution. We are proud of our industry’s and employees’ commitment to providing dependable energy that meets customers' needs and advancing community progress by contributing to our nation’s economic and environmental ambitions.
Jerry Norcia
Chair, American Gas Association,
Chairman and CEO, DTE Energy
A Message From the
AGA Chief Executive Officer
“We are growing and innovating — delivering energy 24/7/365 while investing in a bold vision for a clean energy future. We are proud to add nearly 2,000 new gas customers daily, demonstrating that natural gas is affordable and reliable for all Americans.”
Amidst changing global demands, natural gas remains a steadfast
and integral building block of America’s and the world’s economic
and national security and our environmental progress. We have been
there for our customers on the coldest and the hottest days when
they need us most and have proven to be an invaluable ally to our
friends in Europe.
We are growing and innovating — delivering energy 24/7/365 while
investing in a bold vision for a clean energy future. We are proud
to add nearly 2,000 new gas customers daily, demonstrating that natural
gas is affordable and reliable for all Americans. Our commitment to
delivering safe and resilient energy to our customers is proven in
the statistics in this Playbook, including reducing emissions by 70%.
Natural gas is advancing America today, tomorrow and well into the
future.
Karen A. Harbert
President and CEO, American Gas Association
Essential Energy
Natural gas is an essential foundation for our economy.
In a series of studies, AGA examines how eliminating natural gas
would impact businesses, customers' communities and our economy.
Natural Gas Lowering the Cost of Medicine
At one-third the cost of electricity, natural gas helps keep America’s drug costs more affordable, ensuring that necessary prescriptions and products are accessible to those who need them most.
Critical Feedstock
Natural gas is a critical feedstock for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as plastic packaging and bottles for final products.
Fueling Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities use natural gas to maintain stable heating and temperature control, a critical factor in storing pharmaceuticals.
The pharmaceutical manufacturing supply chain consumes approximately the same amount of natural gas delivered to the state of Missouri with a population of more than 6.1 million.
Natural Gas Fuels America's Healthcare
The U.S. healthcare sector consumes more than 271 billion cubic feet of natural gas, more than the annual consumption of 14 individual states.
Reliable Energy
74% of U.S. hospitals use natural gas for space heating and water heating.
The Healthcare Sector in the U.S. Supports
- 17.5M Direct Jobs
- 7M Indirect Jobs
- 12.4M Induced Jobs
Without Natural Gas?
Higher Costs for Patients
The cost of mandated electrification for the healthcare sector would total $16.3 billion through 2050.
America's Hospitality Sector Depends on Natural Gas
Natural gas supports restaurants, lodging and amusement parks nationwide. The U.S. hospitality sector and its supply chain consume 387 Bcf of natural gas per year.
Natural Gas Consumption
Texas, California and New York consume the most natural gas for the hospitality industry.
Without Natural Gas?
Higher Costs for Businesses
Mandated electrification in the hospitality sector would result in increased fuel expenditures of $23.2 billion through 2050, threatening an industry that supports 17 percent of all U.S. jobs.
Natural Gas Growing, Fertilizing, Feeding
The availability of affordable natural gas — an important feedstock for many key agricultural inputs — has directly benefited the U.S. agriculture sector. Those benefits extend to farms, ranches and beyond through jobs and tax revenue.
Benefits Through Jobs
- 5M Direct U.S. Agriculture Jobs
Benefits Through Tax Revenue
- $225M in federal, state and local tax revenues
The U.S. agriculture sector and its suppliers make up almost 15% of all U.S. commercial and industrial consumption, making it one of the largest consumers of natural gas.
Without Natural Gas?
Natural gas helps the U.S. economy produce agrochemicals like fertilizer, which increases crop yields. The agriculture sector would be in a precarious position if it were to lose access to natural gas.
The Benefits of the Gas System
-
Affordable
American Families Use Natural Gas Because it is Affordable
Households that use natural gas for heating, cooking and clothes drying save an average of $1,132 per year compared to homes using electricity for those applications.
Get the Facts on Affordability -
Reliable
Natural Gas is There When You Need it Most
Through natural disasters and extreme weather events, the industry’s underground delivery system provides reliable energy Americans can count on.
Get the Facts on Reliability -
Safe
Safety is Our Top Priority
America’s natural gas utilities invest $33 billion each year in enhancing the safety of natural gas distribution and transmission systems.
Get the Facts on Safety -
Environment
Proven Emissions Reduction Track Record
Natural gas utilities are cutting emissions from their operations, helping customers shrink their carbon footprints and working with other industries to reduce their environmental impact.
Get the Facts on Environment -
Innovative
Ambitious Innovation Agenda
The gas system's ability to integrate high-value energy sources, such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen, is a critical component of our nation's ability to reach ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Get the Facts on Innovation