US Gas Pipelines: Exports Over Independence
- A significant portion of new natural gas pipeline capacity in the United States is geared toward boosting liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports rather then meeting domestic energy demands,...
- Jeremy Symons, president of CEEA, stated that investments in gas pipeline infrastructure are driving U.S.
- Increased LNG shipments could significantly impact climate change.
US gas pipeline expansion overwhelmingly fuels liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports,perhaps generating greenhouse gas emissions exceeding all US coal plants,reveals a new Center for Energy & environmental Analysis (CEEA) report. This surge in pipeline capacity, designed primarily for LNG exports, could considerably hamper the shift toward cleaner energy sources. The report also shows that methane leaks from these pipelines exacerbate climate impacts. Moreover, CEEA underscores the potential for increased climate change as the amount of gas burned could create carbon dioxide emissions 2.5 times greater than those from all US coal plants. News Directory 3 has the latest updates on this adn other critically important developments. Explore how the future of these projects may reshape the U.S. energy landscape for decades.
US LNG Exports Fuel Pipeline Expansion, Raising climate Concerns
A significant portion of new natural gas pipeline capacity in the United States is geared toward boosting liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports rather then meeting domestic energy demands, according to a report by the Center for Energy & Environmental Analysis (CEEA). The report highlights the potential climate consequences of this expansion, estimating that greenhouse gas emissions from these pipelines could exceed those of all coal-fired power plants nationwide.
Jeremy Symons, president of CEEA, stated that investments in gas pipeline infrastructure are driving U.S. gas production to record levels,potentially hindering the transition to cleaner energy sources. The planned pipelines would add 99 billion cubic feet per day of capacity, nearly matching the nation’s total gas production in 2024. the report indicates that the ten largest projects, representing 80% of total capacity, are designed to facilitate LNG exports.
Increased LNG shipments could significantly impact climate change. The report estimates that burning the additional gas transported by these pipelines would generate carbon dioxide emissions 2.5 times greater than those currently produced by all U.S. coal plants. This figure does not account for methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas released during natural gas extraction and transportation.
“If we are just exporting our emissions to other countries, that’s still going to cause climate change.”
Methane leaks from these pipelines could have a climate impact nearly twice that of CO2 emissions from coal plants over a 20-year period, the report found. David Lyon, a senior methane scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, emphasized the global impact of emissions, nonetheless of where they occur.
However, Arvind Ravikumar, from the University of Texas at Austin, noted that the report’s carbon dioxide emission figures include gas burned by end users in other countries, while international carbon accounting typically only considers emissions within national borders.
The EPA maintains that U.S. methane emissions have declined due to American innovation, despite increased domestic oil and gas production. An EPA spokesperson said methane emissions decreased by 19% between 1990 and 2022.
The CEEA report is based on U.S. Department of Energy data covering 104 pipeline projects. The future of these projects remains uncertain, with slightly over half either unapproved or on hold, including the $45 billion Alaska Nikiski LNG project.
What’s next
The expansion of LNG infrastructure and exports faces economic and regulatory hurdles, including potential impacts from international trade policies and ongoing debates over environmental regulations. The long-term implications of these projects could shape the U.S. energy landscape for decades.