(Washington) — The Natural Allies Leadership Council, including former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), former Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and former Mayor Michael Nutter (D-Philadelphia), issued the following statement ahead of the 2024 presidential debate taking place this evening in Atlanta, Georgia:
“Both political parties should recognize the importance of American natural gas as a key component of our energy mix both domestically and internationally. Natural gas is a ‘natural’ needed partner with renewables, wind, solar, and hydro. It provides the reliability necessary to power our electric grid, support manufacturing growth, and keep our energy prices affordable.
In the communities that we represent – from Ohio to Pennsylvania to Florida to Louisiana – people are clamoring for practical solutions to our climate challenges. America is blessed with a 100-year supply of natural gas, and it is one of our nation’s greatest and most valuable resources. New technologies are making it possible to produce it and export it with lower carbon emissions, that are cleaner and greener, helping to eliminate harmful emissions.
America’s carbon emissions are the lowest they’ve been in over three decades, with nearly two-thirds of that progress the result of greater reliance on cleaner natural gas-powered facilities replacing coal.
Energy demand is surging across the country due to the rise in Artificial Intelligence and rapid power-hungry data centers. Natural gas and renewables stand ready to meet this demand, quickly and reliably. That will keep America at the forefront of these technological innovations, so we don’t fall behind competitors like China.
Our coalition supports a partnership between natural gas and low-carbon solutions. We were encouraged to see the passage of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation supports the expansion of nuclear energy. Nuclear power is indeed promising, but natural gas is here today and ready to meet today’s demands.
We urge both political parties to focus on a practical middle ground energy policy that protects our climate, jobs, allies, and ratepayers. Natural gas, working with renewables, is that solution.”
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About Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future
Natural Allies is a coalition of leaders that recognize the vital role natural gas, and its infrastructure must play to secure our economic future and enhance our natural security. Natural gas partnered with renewable energy can accelerate our path to a clean energy future – ensuring affordability and reliability while reducing carbon emissions domestically and internationally. To learn more about the members and the organization, please visit: naturalalliesforcleanenergy.org.