Natural gas from North America, which supplies over 20% of US energy needs, might have peaked, according to an announcement made at a recent Reuters Energy Summit. Unlike petroleum, natural gas is not easy to import from overseas unless it's liquified natural gas (LNG), cooled to -260°F. Currently, only 1% of the US natural gas supply is from LNG, and the construction of new LNG facilities is highly controversial in many communities.
If the assessment is correct and natural gas production has begun a decline, the US will have to make some difficult decisions; either embrace LNG and endorse the construction of LNG facilities (possibly over the objections of affected communities) or begin the transition to other energy sources.
Source: TechnologyReview.com
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