Natural gas is already our primary source of electricity — and it’s prepared to fuel our future, as it powers heating, transportation, industrial activities, and more.
Natural gas has quickly become a widely available and cost-effective commodity, and that’s great news for American consumers. Experts attribute much of the industry’s rapid growth to increased domestic production of shale gas, which caused the price of natural gas to fall from $8.86 per million British thermal units to $2.52 per MMBtu in 2016.
As the resource continues to dominate the nation’s energy sector, some more recent developments could stoke even further growth:
1. The United States expects to double piped gas export capacity to Mexico.
Natural gas is vital to Mexico’s economy, but as domestic production declines, it’s importing nearly 4.2 billion cubic feet of it each day from the United States — and the daily total may rise to nearly 15 bcf by 2018. While Mexico hopes to rely less on imports in the future, it needs to invest at least $640 billion in its energy infrastructure before it can achieve this goal.
2. India’s largest natural gas distribution company is now collaborating with the U. S.
Between 2018 and 2038, GAIL, India’s largest processor and distributor of natural gas, will purchase 0.76 bcf of liquefied natural gas each day from the United States, though it’s still negotiating final rates.
3. New gas plants will open in the U. S.
Over 150 new natural gas plants will launch operations in the United States by 2020, primarily in areas around the nation’s famed shale basins. As a result, the country’s gas capacity is set to grow by 20% in coming years, with about 90,000 MW of new gas generation currently in development.
* * *
As natural gas’s prospects continue to improve, producers should commit themselves to maintaining safe and sustainable operations — and that includes reducing airborne dust emissions. With our 40 years of experience in the energy industry, Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. can offer energy companies patented products and turn-key application programs to address your dust control needs.
Road dust from unpaved roads is problematic in its impacts on human health and safety, as well as on the environment. Midwest’s road dust control solutions dramatically reduce dust and stabilize the road surface, which prevents erosion and allows you to avoid costly maintenance and resurfacing in the process. Moreover, our dust control programs will eliminate the contaminating effects of dust and its suppressants on your food, water, soil, and air, which serves to keep the road clear and the community happy.
As the natural gas industry continues to thrive, Midwest can help operations big and small succeed well into the future.
