The document discusses how advances in drilling technology have unlocked vast new natural gas reserves in shale formations, fueling economic growth and jobs across the United States. It notes that the natural gas industry directly employs over 622,000 Americans and contributed $172 billion to the US economy in 2008. Increased use of clean, domestic natural gas can provide substantial environmental and economic benefits through greater utilization of existing gas power plants, conversion of coal plants to gas, pairing gas with renewable energy, and more widespread use of natural gas vehicles.