Exporting natural gas is good for environment, US

The recent Sierra Club column (Feb. 19) advocates for a policy that, ironically, runs counter to the organization’s own stated goals of bettering our environment.

Clean American natural gas remains the most effective tool for improving the world’s environment. Experts have rightly warned that limiting American natural gas exports to our allies will further embolden Iran and Russia and lead to more overall global emissions and threaten our national security.

Our leaders are forcing allies to turn to foreign dictators with terrible environmental records when America can support their growing energy and emission-reduction needs. Consider, Russian natural gas carries a 65% higher methane intensity compared to American natural gas, according to the International Energy Agency’s 2020 evaluation of methane intensity. If the concern is about the impact on household energy prices, domestic natural gas prices have remained affordable, even after the first

LNG cargo left America in 2016, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Further, limiting exports has a devastating economic impact on the landowners who receive substantial royalty payments to help meet personal needs.

These realities are well understood, and countless national security experts and environmentalists agree with our U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman and many other federal policymakers on the issue.

It’s a shame to see this administration turn its back on our foreign allies, and working families across Pennsylvania, when American liquefied natural gas is needed most.

David Callahan

The writer is president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, Harrisburg.