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2014 Critical Issues Forum: America's Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The development of unconventional natural gas resources in the last decade has reshaped the energy mix in the U.S. Decisions that are being made now – often in sectors that may not have an obvious connection to gas production – will determine the energy mix over the coming decades. The 2014 Critical Issues Forum, entitled America’s Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy, reflected the strong interest and concerns associated with the development of natural gas resources. The two-day event was held at the Forth Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 19-20, 2014.

The Forum examined the 5- to 30-year outlook for the development of a natural gas-dominant energy sector in North America and discussed the associated benefits and risks. Presentations highlighted our current understanding of the interrelated geological, environmental, and economic aspects of natural gas development and stimulated discussion on two overarching questions:

  • Is a natural gas-dominant economy achievable in North America?
  • Would a natural gas-dominant economy be desirable?

Forum Sponsorship support was provided by the Geological Society of America, the Society for Sedimentary Geology, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and The Geological Society

For more information about the Forum, please visit the 2014 Critical Issues Forum home page.

2014 Forum: Selected Clips

Visualization of average per person energy use for each state

The U.S. Department of Energy's visualization of per person energy use allows you to explore what the average energy usage for your state looks like in the form of burritos, dynamite, and other more relatable metrics. Because most people can't visualize what it means to use 148,600,000 BTU, this visualization is particularly useful for putting personal energy usage into perspective.

The data for this visualization come from the EIA State Energy Data System and represent 2012 energy use.

Interactive map of thermal springs in the United States

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's thermal springs map displays the location and temperature of thermal springs throughout the U.S. The hot springs shown on the map are color-coded based on recorded temperature (red = boiling, orange = hot, yellow = warm, black = information not available). Users can click on individual hot spring locations to find the hot spring name, location, and most recently recorded temperature.

Click here to use the thermal springs viewer.

Interactive map of weather hazard warnings in the United States

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Watch, Warning, and Advisory Display map shows up-to-date weather warnings and advisories for the continental U.S. The map covers a wide range of weather hazards including tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms, flash and coastal floods, blizzards, winter storms, snow, freezing rain and ice storms, and high winds.

Users can click on individual parts of the map for more specific information down to the county level.

Interactive map of Idaho's geology and natural resources

The Idaho Geological Survey's provides a large amount of information on Idaho's geology and natural resources in interactive map form, including:

  • Surface geology, including geochemical data
  • Oil and gas
  • Geothermal wells and thermal springs
  • Mine locations
  • Aggregate sources
  • Young faults

The map allows users to select multiple layers that can be overlain on each other. By doing this, users can see how different features are related.

Interactive map of operating nuclear power reactors in the United States

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Operating Nuclear Power Reactors interactive map shows all the nuclear power reactors that are regulated by the NRC and provides information about the operator, model, and power output for each reactor. 

Click here to access the Operating Nuclear Power Reactors interactive map

Source: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Interactive map of drought conditions across the United States

The U.S. Geological Survey's WaterWatch program maps below-normal 7-day average streamflow, identified through comparison to historical streamflow readings, to produce their DroughtWatch map. The map identifies drought conditions ranging from extreme hydrological droughts to below normal streamflow conditions across the entire U.S.

Click here to use the DroughtWatch interactive map

Source: U.S. Geological Survey WaterWatch

Interactive map of volcanoes and current volcanic activity alerts in the United States

The U.S. Geological Survey's Volcanoes and Current Activity Alerts map shows the location and activity levels of all volcanoes in the United States. The map allows for filtering based on both location and current volcano status. Each volcano is depicted by a small colored triangle with different colors indicating various volcano alert levels:

  • Green = normal
  • Yellow = advisory
  • Orange = watch
  • Red = warning

Users can click on individual volcanoes to see that volcano's page on the USGS website.

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