LETTER: Gas industry doesn’t control prices
The op-ed “Why politicians want you to pay more for natural gas,” which appeared in the Oct. 3 edition, suggests that the natural gas industry pulls the strings on prices.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Energy costs are primarily influenced by market supply and demand. In the case of natural gas, other factors that impact prices include production, storage inventory levels and weather.
As U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows, natural gas is one of the most affordable and widely used options for home-heating. In fact, about half of all U.S. households use natural gas to heat their homes.
With demand for affordable, reliable power on the rise with buildout of data centers, artificial intelligence and manufacturing, we need more energy, not less.
A recent report by PJM, the country’s largest regional transmission organization that includes all or parts of 13 states, including Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., shows the challenge of meeting the growing demand for power due in large part from data centers and electrification.
The report also points out that as demand growth accelerates reliance on thermal resources like natural gas, coal and oil and the pace of development and deployment of new resources continues to lag, it may result in a shortfall in supply by 2030.
Misguided policies could hinder Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry and further strain our power grid.
Natural gas is the best answer to rapidly rising electricity demand from data centers. It’s both abundant in Pennsylvania and affordable.
Carbon capture and hydrogen also have a role to play in our future energy mix and efforts to reduce emissions.
Pennsylvania natural gas powers and heats millions of homes and businesses and will continue to do so for decades to come. It’s time to stop pointing fingers and focus on delivering the affordable, reliable energy consumers need.
Stephanie Catarino Wissman
Harrisburg
Catarino Wissman is executive director of the American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania.