Kisah Amalia, Dokter Berhati Malaikat yang Berjuang di Pedalaman Papua

Energy is Becoming Cleaner The United States used 97.8 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of energy in 2016. That’s 3.5 times more energy than Russia used the same year. Burning fuel to meet these energy demands affects the environment, but a shift in the last decade to lower-carbon natural gas has had a significant impact. Natural gas also emits less carbon dioxide (CO2) than other fossil fuel sources, so its greater use drives down the number overall. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) projections show that in 2019 energy-related carbon emissions will have decreased 13 percent from 2005. Why has this shift occurred? Technology and innovation have provided access to abundant supplies of natural gas – an energy source that produces fewer emissions than other fossil fuels. Its increased availability has increased its affordability, making natural gas the leading choice for electric generation and supporting renewable energy. Innovation in Access Though people have used natural gas since 1000 B.C., innovations over the past few decades have improved the efficiency and effectiveness in how we extract it. Advanced technologies, like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, allow operators to access larger amounts of natural gas trapped in shale and other tight rock formations. While conventional vertical drilling requires spacing out many individual wells over a wide area, horizontal drilling allows for up to 20, or more, wells from a single surface location. Utilizing these techniques has reduced the surface footprint of natural gas development by 90 percent. Continuously evolving technologies have pushed production to reach record highs by streamlining the extraction process. These innovations have also impacted the amount of methane emitted from hydraulically fractured natural gas wells, which dropped 14% between 1990 and 2016, even as production rose more than 50 percent. Increased Use of Natural Gas Increased access to natural gas has made it more abundant and affordable. This energy source fueled more than 31 percent of U.S. electricity generation in 2017, leading all other fuels and the EIA projects that number will rise to 41 percent by 2050. The surge stems from the construction of new natural gas plants to meet growing demand, in addition to replacing facilities that use more carbon-intensive fuel, like coal. This is already evident in regions like the northeastern U.S., where natural gas has nearly doubled its generation portfolio. Flexibility for America’s Electricity Grid A rise in renewable generation is another way power is becoming cleaner. These carbon-free technologies are an important part of our energy future, but most sources can’t produce energy 24 hours a day. For example, solar panels can only generate electricity when the sun is shining. Natural gas can act as a stable back-up, providing power when renewables cannot. By quickly ramping up and down production to match the changing output from these emissions-free sources, natural gas has asserted itself as a key ally in bringing more renewables online. The benefits of this partnership are demonstrated in a 2016 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which found that for every 1% increase in natural gas’ share of electricity generation, there was a .88% increase in long-term renewable capacity. The U.S. is primed to lead the way in clean energy development. Whether its providing cleaner baseload power, or integrating more innovative, variable renewable energy sources, natural gas is cleaning up our energy options.

Natural Gas. The Affordable Energy Option. Abundance Driving Affordability Throughout the last decade, domestic development of natural gas increased by 36 percent, enabling the U.S. to become the world’s leading producer. But how did the nation increase its production so drastically in only 10 years? It is a revolution fueled entirely by two factors – innovation and shale. Breakthroughs in hydraulic fracturing (fracking), horizontal drilling and other well stimulation technologies are unlocking natural gas that was trapped in shale and other tight rock formations for millions of years. The U.S. can now access more energy resources efficiently, safely, and ultimately cost effectively. This newfound energy abundance at home translates into real benefits for the American consumer and the entire economy. The surge in natural gas caused prices to drop dramatically. Since 2008 alone, the average national price of natural gas delivered to residential consumers decreased by almost three dollars per thousand cubic feet of natural gas. More Money in Your Pocket Natural gas is now the nation’s largest fuel source for electricity generation, providing more than 31 percent of U.S. electricity in 2017. And because innovations have made it a more affordable energy option, Americans across the country see the savings in their utility bill each month. In fact, today, energy accounts for only 6.6 percent of a family’s monthly spending. With less money spent keeping the lights on and the homes warm, families have more money for essential household expenses ranging from childcare to groceries to rent. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), falling natural gas and oil prices directly reduced Americans’ cost of living. Powering U.S. Industry Abundant natural gas not only saves consumers on home electricity, but it also has a positive ripple effect for American manufacturers. A strong supply is helping to cut prices in energy intensive industries across the value chain, from producers of raw materials to finished products. These energy intensive manufacturers include producers of steel, chemicals, refined fuels, plastics, fertilizers and numerous consumer products. Affordable energy, for the industries that rely on it the most, brings jobs back to our shores and attracts investment. Industrial electricity prices in 2015 were 30 to 50 percent lower than those of foreign competitors – and are likely to remain lower. And these lower energy costs translate into lower manufacturing costs. The total cost to manufacture goods in the U.S. was 10 to 20 percent lower than in Europe in 2015. In addition to strengthening the economy, reduced manufacturing costs for U.S. industries make goods more affordable for consumers, once again helping families save on their daily living expenses. Natural gas is revolutionizing energy supplies, and the tangible savings for the nation and consumers cannot be overstated. Energy is essential to modern living and when it’s affordable, we all reap the benefits.

Why does natural gas emit less CO2? Natural gas is a clean burning energy source and the reason boils down to chemistry. When fossil fuels are burned, oxygen combines with carbon to form carbon dioxide (CO2), and with hydrogen to form water (H2O). These chemical reactions create the heat we use for energy. The amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere during this process depends on how much carbon the fuel source has – more carbon produces more CO2. Natural gas has a high hydrogen content and a low carbon content, consisting of four hydrogen atoms and only one carbon atom. The result? For the same amount of energy produced, burning natural gas emits significantly less CO2 into the air than other fossil fuels. What are the Benefits of Fewer CO2 Emissions? Natural gas has become the nation’s largest fuel source for electricity generation, providing more than 31 percent of U.S. electricity in 2017. Yet even as natural gas continues to increase its share of the electricity grid, CO2 emissions are steadily dropping. Since 2000, CO2 emissions from power generation have fallen 21 percent – their lowest levels in nearly 30 years. By 2030, CO2 emissions from power generation are expected to drop by as much as 30 percent from 2005 levels because of the increasing shift to natural gas. This reduction of CO2 emissions benefits communities and the environment, while propelling the U.S. toward climate progress. In 2016 alone, the shift to natural gas prevented 383 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of taking more than 81 million typical passenger vehicles off the road for a year. Establishing a clean energy mix will help to protect the environment and natural gas is an essential piece of the puzzle. How is the Market Mandating Clean Energy? The increased use of natural gas for electricity generation isn’t just better for the environment, it’s also lowering energy costs for businesses and consumers. The surge in domestic natural gas production – up 50 percent between 2005 and 2016 – created a supply large enough to win the marketplace. For the first time, clean energy, abundant energy, and affordable energy are not mutually exclusive. This unique approach to market-driven clean energy has enabled the U.S. to become a global model for climate action. But this progress didn’t happen overnight. Clean and affordable natural gas stems from years of industry innovation. From 2000 to 2014, the natural gas and oil industry invested $90 billion in technology to reduce greenhouse gases. For decades, the country has grappled with how to produce the amount of energy we need to live comfortably and support the U.S. economy while also protecting the environment. Technology has changed the game and the market has responded. Affordable, abundant natural gas is lowering CO2 emissions and helping us work toward a sustainable future.