Service
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Natural Gas At A Glance
More than 189 million Americans and 5.8 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
“America's natural gas utilities are an integral part of the communities we serve, and as an industry we work hard every day to put customers and families first with affordable, reliable and safe energy that is sustainable.”
America’s natural gas utilities are an integral part of the communities we serve, and as an industry, we work hard every day to put customers and families first with affordable, reliable and safe energy that is sustainable. American natural gas fuels our homes, businesses and livelihoods. It makes our communities resilient and strong, keeping buildings warm and critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, functioning through even the worst disasters. As artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and new economic development opportunities drive growing energy needs, natural gas utilities are focused on planning, investing and modernizing to fuel the economy of the future.
Sid McAnnally
President & Chief Executive Officer, ONE
Gas, Inc. Chair, American Gas Association
A Message From the
AGA Chief Executive Officer
“Natural gas is America’s strategic advantage, playing an essential role in American homes and business while enabling a competitive and secure future for our country.”
America’s natural gas is abundant, affordable and reliable, making our nation’s energy supplies and systems the envy of the world. Natural gas utilities have been meeting rising demand for decades, all while keeping customers' bills near record lows and lowering emissions. While many energy sources will play a role in America’s future, there is only one that can provide the reliability, flexibility and scalability to keep America at the head of the race against our adversaries and protect affordability and reliability for American families. Natural gas is America’s strategic advantage, playing an essential role in American homes and businesses while enabling a competitive and secure future for our country.
Karen A. Harbert
President and CEO, American Gas Association
Read Full LetterEssential Energy
Natural gas fuels critical sectors of the American economy.
Natural gas plays a vital role that helps businesses, customers and communities thrive.
Natural Gas Fuels American Manufacturing
A new study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) with support from the American Gas Foundation demonstrates natural gas’ role in maintaining energy security and the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing along pathways to a low-carbon economy, especially as energy demand continues to rise.
See the study
www.gasfoundation.org
“To effectively and successfully compete on the global economic stage when facing countries like China – and others – the U.S. must deploy all its advantages, including our energy advantage.”
Karen A. Harbert
President and CEO, American Gas Association
Natural Gas Making Medicine More Affordable
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
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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 16.9 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.
Fueling Jobs
Direct U.S. Agriculture Jobs
Fueling Tax Revenue
$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 the agrochemicals like fertilizer, which increases crop yields. The U.S. agriculture sector would be in a precarious position if it were to lose access to natural gas.
Fueling Jobs
Direct U.S. Agriculture Jobs
Fueling Tax Revenue
$in federal, state and local tax revenues
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The Strengths of the Natural Gas System
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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 $1,030 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 $37 billion each year in enhancing the safety of natural gas distribution and transmission systems.
Get the Facts on Safety -
Sustainable
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 impact on the environment.
Get the Facts on Sustainability -
Innovative
Ambitious Innovation Agenda
The promise of integrating high-value sources of energy, such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen, and advancing energy efficiency is a critical component of our nation’s ability to reach ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Get the Facts on Innovation