Natural gas’s pragmatic comeback
As I wrap my book up, I’m trying out a fresh format for these newsletters—let me know what you think!
The Myth and The Moment in the wild
Labor leader Mark Longo recently penned an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal emphasizing the need for sensible natural gas policy in New York and New Jersey. Among his reasons:
- Price crisis: New York’s restrictions on natural gas infrastructure resulted in prices this past winter soaring to $20 per million Btus—compared with neighboring Pennsylvania’s much lower $3 per million Btus.
- Pipeline paralysis: Both New York and New Jersey repeatedly blocked pipeline projects including Constitution, Northeast Energy Direct, Northeast Supply Enhancement, and PennEast, exacerbating energy shortages in the face of increasing demand.
- Electrification ambitions vs. reality: New Jersey aimed to reduce natural gas use by aggressively electrifying buildings, with a target of heat pumps in 65 percent of all homes—up from the current 5 percent.
- Fracking reality check: New York’s fracking ban hasn’t reduced its natural gas consumption—it has just increased the state’s reliance on imported gas.
It’s a perfect example of how the good intentions behind The Myth of an Easy Energy Transition are running headlong into an uncooperative reality. It doesn’t matter how many consultant reports tell us we can meet electrification goals through efficiency alone; demand for natural gas just keeps rising.
You chose the subtitle for my forthcoming book!
Thanks for voting! We have a winner: The Myth and The Moment: From Polarization to Progress in the New Energy Landscape. I love your pick because it captures our collective desire to move beyond simplistic good-guy/bad-guy narratives. It acknowledges change and our shared opportunity to shape what’s next.
Getting antsy for the book? Me, too! Here’s what to do before August
- Schedule a customized briefing session: I’m offering limited fall sessions tailored to executive teams and boards exploring your strategic opportunities emerging from The Myth’s unraveling. Request a date.
- Be featured! Submit your own “In the Wild” example to highlight where The Myth has collided with reality.
- Hit that heart button below to power our pragmatic energy conversation!
Keep it real,
Tisha
