The U.S. has become the world's largest natural gas producer due to advances in extraction technology, and has more natural gas than Saudi Arabia has oil. This newfound supply of domestic natural gas can help reduce America's dependence on oil imports from unfriendly nations by offsetting over 21 million barrels of oil used daily, saving over $265 billion annually. With 98% of natural gas already coming from North America, increased natural gas use can improve U.S. energy security and create local jobs while providing decades of affordable, clean energy.

1. The U.S. is at a defining moment that presents a Reducing Our Dependence
once-in-a-generation opportunity to our nation. on Foreign Oil iii
Advances in technology are now unlocking an
abundant and sustainable supply of clean natural The U.S. uses 21 million barrels of oil every day. That's
gas—right here in America. This newfound 25% of the world's oil demand used by just 4% of the
bounty means we can reduce our dependence world's population. In 1970, we imported 24% of our oil.
on oil from countries that may not have our Today, it's more than 60%.
interests at heart.
The United States imported 4.35 billion barrels of oil in
The U.S. has passed Russia to become the 2009 at a cost of over half a million dollars per minute.
world’s largest natural gas producer. And, the
i
That amounts to $265 billion each year that is taken out
established, scientific consensus is that our
iv
of our economy and sent to foreign nations – many
nation now has as much natural gas as Saudi unfriendly to U.S. security interests.
Arabia has oil. We are the envy of the world for
ii
this natural abundance and we can put it to We can offset our use of foreign oil by making more
greater use for our nation’s security. effective use of the home-grown energy that is right
beneath our feet – clean, abundant, versatile natural
gas.
American Security, American Jobs
America’s plentiful, indigenous supplies of natural gas
can help achieve U.S. energy security by reducing our
dependence on costly foreign oil imports. Approximately
98% of the natural gas we use in America comes from
v
sources in North America. And every gallon equivalent
of natural gas used in vehicles is one less gallon of
petroleum that has to be imported from hostile nations.
And next door, Canada plays a key role in adding even
more abundance to the American natural gas supply.
The domestic availability of supply also means that
natural gas production and development creates direct
and indirect employment, purchase of goods and
services by production and distribution companies, local,
state and federal taxes, and the “downstream” economic
impact from products made with or from natural gas. The
economic impact of natural gas stays in America as it
helps improve our country’s energy security.
An Abundant, Secure Energy Supply
North America has enormous natural gas resources. Thanks to improved technologies
perfected over the past several years, we have more domestic natural gas than ever
before. America produces about 20 trillion cubic feet of natural gas each year, according
to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

2. With new discoveries and advanced technology, America has a growing supply of natural gas that will last for
generations to come.
We also benefit from an established infrastructure system – a reliable and secure pipeline and distribution network
that is already in place to safely move American natural gas around the country.
Natural Gas in America’s Clean Energy Portfolio
America could realize substantial environmental, economic and national security benefits – including near-term
reductions in carbon emissions – by using natural gas more effectively in four key ways:
• Increasing the utilization of existing natural gas power plants;
• Expanding the conversion of coal-fired generating facilities to natural gas;
• Using natural gas as a reliable complement to other alternative energy sources; and
• Increasing the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel
i
Tech-Driven Natgas Boom Shifts Energy Balance of Power to U.S., American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, February 22, 2010.
ii
Betting Big on a Boom in Natural Gas. BusinessWeek, LeVine, S. and Aston, A., October 8, 2009.
iii
Petroleum Basic Statistics, Energy Information Administration, July 2009.
iv
The Hidden Cost of Imported Oil, National Defense Council Foundation, September 2003.
v
Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States: A Primer, U.S. Department of Energy, April 2009.