Critical Issues Forum: The Benefits and Risks of a U.S. Methane Economy

Is a natural gas-dominant economy achievable in North America? Would it be desirable? These are the questions that the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) aims to address in its inaugural Critical Issues Forum: “America’s Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy.”

The event will take place in Fort Worth, Texas from November 19-20, 2014. Registration is now open and can be found here. To encourage participation from experts at AGI Member organizations, a $25 registration discount will be applied to members of the organizations that make up the AGI federation. Students can register for a flat $50, regardless of profession. Members of the press are encouraged to come and should contact Meg Gilley at mgilley@americangeosciences.org.

Forum sessions will address forecasts of natural gas availability and demand; environmental, health, and safety issues; and the drivers and barriers to natural gas development in North America and their implications. Participants will have the opportunity to explore how decisions being made today may influence the development of a methane economy and how a natural gas dominant economy might affect the finance, transportation and infrastructure industries, state regulators, and researchers in industry and academia. A report covering the impacts discussed during this event will be released in 2015.

According to Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, AGI’s Executive Director, “Geoscientists have facilitated access to natural gas in the U.S. that has completely changed the dynamic of the economy. Leaders in stakeholder communities should be part of the discussion about developing these resources responsibly, efficiently and to address the concerns of the U.S. public.”