Crossing the Natural Gas Bridge

While natural gas can play a critical role during the transition to a secure, low-carbon economy, there are both climate and energy security risks associated with a dramatic shift to natural gas. This paper explores the current role of natural gas in the United States’ energy mix, reasons that climate change and energy security policies might increase demand for natural gas, and the implications of such a shift. It concludes with several recommendations for policymakers looking to craft a rational role for natural gas in the U.S. energy sector:

• Send a clear, long-term carbon price signal
• Promote natural gas end-use efficiency standards and demand reduction
• Pursue an efficient and environmentally sensitive natural gas development strategy
• Support the development of a flexible and adequately supplied global market
• Address costs and barriers of low-carbon electricity technologies to ensure a diverse and clean power generation mix