Cheap Natural Gas Heralds an Energy Revolution [Roll over EPA]

The American Thinker ^ | April 11, 2012 | S. Fred Singer

[Cincinatus' Wife]

All bets are off for the future of energy in the United States and, indeed, the world, as the price of natural gas plummets to ever-lower values -- thanks to the development of technology that can access gas and liquids trapped in hitherto inaccessible shale rocks....

....With the pipeline problem solved (at least in the Lower 48), consider the consequences of having huge quantities of cheap gas available. It will make new coal-fired power plants uneconomic, but it will also make new nuclear plants uneconomic.(Coal and nuclear do have an important advantage over gas: the fuel can be easily stored -- while gas supply depends on the integrity of the pipeline.)

It is ironic that these two longed-for goals of radical environmentalists are being achieved simply through economics, without the need for any regulation. That's why I'm fairly relaxed about recent EPA demands for the removal of every last bit of mercury emission, which is clearly uneconomic for existing coal-fired power plants -- and even for new ones.

By the same token, it makes proposed EPA regulation of CO2 emission for power plants largely academic.

......But it is ironic also that cheap gas will completely remove the need for electricity generated by solar or wind -- much to the chagrin of environmental zealots. And all those folks hoping that energy prices would continue to rise and that electricity costs would "skyrocket" will be sorely disappointed.

But there are also extra bonus points. "Combined-cycle" gas power plants can reach efficiencies of 60% or more, compared to heat efficiencies of nuclear power plants of 35% or coal plants of 40%.

It gets even better than that. Gas-fired electricity generation is essentially non-polluting and user-friendly, and it can be placed in close proximity to wherever power is needed, making distributed generation economically feasible......

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A much fuller article including some roadbumps the EPA will try to employ.

And the man pushing for U.S. Energy independence.

Take 30 minutes. Expand the video to fill the screen and listen to Newt on American Energy Independence [also a transcript].

Video: Newt Rips Gore's 'Facts' To Pieces 2009 Newt testifying on Climate Change before Congress.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Newt to Obama: This is What a Drilling Platform Looks Like

Newt’s Visit to an Alabama Gas Station

[mvpel]

How long do people suppose it will stay cheap when they replace Pilgrim in Massachusetts with a bunch of gas power plants in order to line the pockets of T. Boone Pickens with tax credits?

Of Crony Capitalism and Natural Gas

Natural gas in Europe is already about $12/MBTU, as compared to the $2.30/MBTU that they're talking about in this article, and of course the Russians are loving the fact that Germany is shutting down its nuclear power plants so they'll be forced to buy more gas.

[ThirstyMan]

But what about the algae?

Natural Gas is looking better all the time. Abundant and Domestic. What could be better?

[dsrtsage]

Yeah, but burning it produces dihydrogen monoxide, the most dangerous chemical on the planet, and the single compound most responsible for global warming.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

But what about the algae?

And the newest....Obama and cow crap?

"President Obama's Department of Agriculture (USDA) committed $5 million today to the construction of a "biogas anaerobic digester" that will use cow manure to heat an ethanol plant and create 15 permanent jobs."....

[WildWeasel]

The more I talk to people about Natural Gas and the super abundant supply we have in the USA, the more I’m convinced it’s the way to go for energy needs.

If I were President, I’d promote NG as the energy source of the future for cars, trucks, power plants and export as much of it as we can. CNG has been used for decades to power trucks and tractors and with new technology, why cant’ the rest of us too? I’d love to be able to refill my car when I get home from a NG source from my garage.

The liquids they get from NG is driving some manufacturers to come back to the USA because it’s so cheap.

All the money stays in the USA, not to Arab dictators which means jobs and also a stronger dollar due to balance of trade. It also means more tax revenues without raising tax rates which will bring down the deficit as long as the democrats are a minority party.

Obama is going to push his BS solar and wind green energy agenda, but in reality, natural gas is the better alternative and we have so much of it with more to be found.

[Recon Dad]

We are all going to die!!!

[Recon Dad]

I think you're on the right path in your thinking. When they say we have two hundred years of ng, that's at present usage. You start using it for transport and expand other areas $2 will be $50.

In the early part of the last century when Spindletop oil started to flow a bbl of oil was 10 cents and they had no place to put it.

That said that should not stop its use while looking for the next energy source.....Methane Hydrates.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

...I’d love to be able to refill my car when I get home from a NG source from my garage.

You and me both!

[Recon Dad]

......and I forgot, wet too.

[Sacajaweau]

They still use camel crap etc in Muslim countries. “The sweetest smell............”

[YankeeReb]

They still use camel crap etc in Muslim countries. “The sweetest smell............”

Didn't 0bama say that Camel Dung was the sweetest smell on earth? ....Oh wait he said the muslim call to prayer was the sweetest sound on earth .... I get the two confused sometimes...never mind.