What role does natural gas play in meeting the nation’s energy needs?
Natural gas currently provides one-fourth of the nation’s total energy needs and will meet an even greater share of U.S. energy needs during the next 20 years because it’s highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and found in abundance throughout North America. By 2020, natural gas will meet 28 percent of U.S. energy needs, rising from an estimated 22 quadrillion Btu in 2000 to 33.6 quads by 2020, if government actions are taken to promote increased use of natural gas. Who uses natural gas? Nearly 62 million customers use natural gas. They include: • 58 million households (about 6 of every 10 U.S. households); • nearly 5 million commercial customers, like hospitals and restaurants; • 161,500 industrial customers, such as manufacturing plants; and • 48,700 other customers, such as electric power plants. Residential natural gas customers: how will national energy policy benefit them? Natural gas is the most popular home-heating energy in the United States – heating 6 of every 10 U.S.
