Natural Gas

Federal energy incentives have chiefly benefited oil, natural gas industries; nuclear, renewables lag

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Public interest in the role of federal incentives in shaping today’s energy marketplace and future energy options has risen sharply. That interest has met with frustration in some quarters and half-truths in others because of the difficulty in developing a complete picture of the incentives that influence today’s energy options. The difficulty arises from the many forms of incentives, the variety of ways in which they are funded, managed, and monitored, and changes in the agencies responsible for administering them.

Aubrey McClendon’s natural gas smoke screen

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The key questions about the actual size of North America’s natural gas resource remain unresolved. And, concerns about the possible rate of production from unconventional sources such as shale gas loom large. Until these are addressed more convincingly, North American policymakers would be advised to look upon McClendon’s proposals with skepticism and to plan prudently for a less than rosy natural gas future.