Stream’s themes: PA Farm Show and more January news highlights
Joe Massaro
January brought the return of the Pennsylvania Farm Show to central PA, with a weeklong celebration of the state’s $185 billion agricultural industry — one of Pennsylvania’s biggest and most essential — along with the energy industry. These two economic powerhouses generate billions of dollars and employ hundreds of thousands of people to ensure state and local economies remain strong.
The Farm Show demonstrated how agriculture and natural gas can come together, and The Stream was there to cover what this partnership means for Pennsylvania.
Shale spotlight: Natural gas in the news
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s plan to bail out coal and nuclear plants. FERC asked grid operators to suggest ideas for making the system more resilient.
- Natural gas consumption in suburban Philadelphia hit records during the recent cold snap. Peco Energy Co. reported that demand reached 804,372 cubic feet on a single day this month.
- Appalachia is expected to lead the nation in natural gas production through February, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration report. The region is expected to increase production by 377 million cubic feet over January projections.
- Energy companies are working around opposition and improving infrastructure by supersizing old pipelines. Executives at some of North America’s biggest pipeline operators say they have pivoted toward the strategy as plans for new pipelines have come under attack.
- For the first time since at least 1957, the United States has become a net exporter of natural gas on an annual basis. The trend should move forward thanks to a projected increase in natural gas sent by pipeline to Mexico and a growing number of liquefied natural gas shipments to the rest of the world.
The Stream: What’s in the pipeline
Coming up from The Stream in February, look for more original perspectives from the natural gas industry.
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Joe Massaro
Joe Massaro is based in Bravo Group's Pittsburgh office and has deep energy industry expertise. He previously served as the field director for a Pennsylvania-based oil and gas industry grassroots PR firm.