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Fighting the narrative that natural gas is part of the problem, U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) last week introduced a resolution calling for the recognition of domestic natural gas as a green and clean energy source.

“It’s green. It’s clean. And it’s abundant right under our feet, right here in Ohio,”  Balderson said.

Balderson, speaking at a Licking County, OH, wellsite alongside energy industry officials, said an “all of the above” approach was required to meet U.S. energy needs. He said the use of natural gas in Ohio had reduced carbon emissions by 38%.

“Unleashing America’s abundant natural gas is the solution to affordable energy, a cleaner environment, and lessening our reliance on bad actors,” Balderson said. “This resolution recognizes the leading role of natural gas in powering our daily lives and rejects the false notion that a cleaner environment can only be achieved at the peril of the United States’ energy security and independence.”

The resolution also calls on the Biden Administration to support natural gas production and infrastructure by identifying and removing barriers for producers. It comes amid an energy crisis that has seen prices of U.S. natural gas more than double over the course of the past year. Beyond shortages of labor, materials and equipment, experts and industry insiders have also cited the lack of regulatory clarity to spur natural gas projects.

“The Biden Administration’s energy policies are inflicting needless financial pain on American families and businesses, and, thus far, it has not offered meaningful solutions,” said Chris Ventura, executive director at the Consumer Energy Alliance. “We hope the House of Representatives will bring Congressman Balderson’s common-sense resolution to the Floor for bipartisan approval – and help people across Ohio and America suffering from twin energy and inflation crises.”

Combined, the Marcellus and Utica shale deposits, which span parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, contain a total of 214 Tcf of recoverable natural gas. But bottlenecks in Appalachia, where the Marcellus and Utica shales accounted for 34% of all U.S. output in the first half of 2021, are slowing production.

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