Wind, solar are unreliable. Natural gas green, clean and abundant under our feet| Balderson

U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville

The recent decision by the Ohio legislature to recognize natural gas for what it truly is — a clean and green energy source — is a milestone worthy of celebration all across the Buckeye State.

Ohio House Bill 507 echoes the sentiment of House Resolution 1148, which I introduced on May 31, and I will reintroduce early in the next session of Congress. HB 507 states: "Green energy includes energy generated by using natural gas as a resource."

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It is a major victory for Ohio's energy consumers, many of whom rely on natural gas in their daily lives. More natural gas development means jobs and economic growth for our state, while continuing to provide our energy consumers with an affordable and abundant energy source.

This underscores that affordable energy is the foundation of economic prosperity for American households and businesses, especially, mid- to low- income earners, fixed-income households, and small businesses.

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As I stated at my press conference in Licking County on June 1, recognizing American natural gas as a "green and clean" energy source is vital. "It's green. It's clean. And it's abundant right under our feet, right here in Ohio."

The case for “Natural Gas is Green” is unassailable.

• Natural gas burns cleaner and has fewer emissions than other fuels. It produces carbon dioxide, but half as much as burning coal.
• Between 1970 and 2020 in the U.S., the combined emissions of six common pollutants dropped by 78 percent, while domestic natural gas production increased by nearly 60 percent.
• Natural gas is responsible for 61 percent carbon dioxide reductions in U.S. electricity generation. That means less air pollution and a cleaner country.
• In Ohio, natural gas has already reduced carbon emissions from power generation by 38 percent. Further, increased production and usage in the United States of this green energy is key to helping lower emissions and to reaching emission reduction goals.
• Natural gas also contributed $58.7 billion to Ohio's economy. It provides a sound means of employment, as those with jobs related to the natural gas industry (375,832) earned an average of $65,832 annually.
• The U.S. has enough natural gas to power the nation for nearly a century — and the potential for even more.
• Natural gas fuels about half of our state’s electricity generation.
• American natural gas powers more than one-third of our nation's total energy needs, compared with wind and solar, which generate roughly 12 percent.

Why is this designation of “natural gas is green” so important?

Because it raises public awareness and it opens the door to unleashing America's abundant natural gas as the leader in achieving affordable energy, a cleaner environment, and reducing our reliance on foreign countries to meet our energy needs.

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I once again call on the Biden administration and my fellow members of Congress to support natural gas infrastructure and the production of natural gas by identifying and removing harmful barriers for producers.

We must reject the false premise that a cleaner environment can only be achieved by sacrificing our energy security and its independence to unreliable wind and solar. Natural gas is a direct path to both America's energy independence and continued emission reductions.

Natural gas is America’s most affordable, and reliable green energy source.

I am proud that Ohio is leading the way in acknowledging this reality, as passage of House Bill 507 attests.

U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville