Back in February, The Washington Post reported that a group called Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future “was created by a half-dozen gas companies, with the explicit goal of convincing Democratic voters that gas is a ‘clean’ energy source."
This week, former U.S. senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana – a Democrat who speaks on behalf of the group – joined Newell Normand to plead the case for natural gas’ role in the future of clean energy.
“Mary, let’s just get the elephant out of the room right up front,” said Normand. “There was a Washington Post article that talked about Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future being promoted and funded in large part by the natural gas industry. Talk about that, if you would.”
“Well, Natural Allies is funded and promoted by a group of midstream companies that move natural gas,” she said. “That is absolutely [true] and we’re proud of that.”
According to the group’s website, “natural gas is proven to help reach climate goals faster, and provides reliable, affordable energy for the next generation.”
Per the Energy Information Administration, “natural gas is a relatively clean burning fossil fuel,” that produces a lower amount of pollutants compared to coal and oil. However, as The Washington Post noted, “the primary component of natural gas is methane, a warming pollutant much more powerful than carbon dioxide,” that “often leaks as companies extract gas and ship it across the country.”
“Although the gas industry says it is working to curb its methane pollution, leading scientists say the world must rapidly phase out all fossil fuels to avert the worst consequences of climate change,” said the outlet. The EIS also said that natural gas production does have some negative impact on the environment.
Along with the Inflation Reduction Act, lawmakers approved new authorities under Section 136 of the Clean Air Act to reduce methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas sector through the creation of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“The industry of getting beat up on all sides by, you know, the renewable industry saying we’re part of the problem,” Landrieu told Normand. “We actually are part of the solution.”
She said that natural gas could work as a backup for wind and solar energy, along with nuclear energy. Listen to her full conversation with Norman here to learn more.
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