Natural Gas
Fueling Families
Fueling America
Fueling Communities
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
“The versatility and accessibility of natural gas safeguards it as an essential, reliable and safe energy source for the demands of today and for generations to come.”
The versatility and accessibility of natural gas safeguards it as an essential, reliable and safe energy source for the demands of today and for generations to come. The abundant supply of natural gas within our borders ensures that our industry is well positioned to independently power our country’s innovative and economic pursuits.
Lloyd Yates
Chair, American Gas Association,
NiSource Inc. President and CEO
A Message From the
AGA Chief Executive Officer
“The natural gas industry has been a leader in helping our nation advance our energy and environmental goals, delivering solutions to some of America's biggest challenges at home and abroad.”
The natural gas industry has been a leader in helping our nation advance our energy and environmental goals, delivering solutions to some of America’s biggest challenges at home and abroad. Exciting technologies like hydrogen and renewable natural gas offer new opportunities for the industry while we continue to invest in affordable and reliable natural gas. We are proud that America’s abundant natural gas and our vast delivery system provides the most affordable way for our customers to heat their homes, do their laundry and feed their families. As a result, it is no surprise that Americans with access to natural gas choose it. With the rise of new industries and technologies, America’s natural gas industry will be there every step of the way. At AGA, we are committed to fueling America as we advance toward a more secure and cleaner future.
Karen A. Harbert
President and CEO, American Gas Association
Read Full LetterEssential Energy
Natural gas fuels critical sectors of the American economy. Eliminating natural gas would have significant impacts on businesses, customers and communities.
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. HarbertPresident and CEO, American Gas Association
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
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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.
Benefits Through Jobs
Benefits through tax revenue
$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.
Benefits Through Jobs
Benefits through tax revenue
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The Benefits of the
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 $1,132 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 $37 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 promise 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