Engineer

Wind's Our Future, but Natural Gas Is Now

I think we have to be careful about throwing around the "100 Year" blogbite. According to the EIA (eia.doe.gov), the US uses 21,653 bcf (2006) and has proven reserves of 211,085 bcf (2006). This is only 10 Years.

Of course, the new report by the American Clean Skies Foundation says that the EIA's estimates are too low and puts the ultimate reserves at 2,247,000 bcf. Great, we are back to our "100 Years".

But even if you believe in the higher reserves number, the "100-Year" value is based on current consumption levels of natural gas. If you intend to displace petroleum with natural gas, the "100-Years" drops to "39 Years". If you intend to displace petroleum and coal with natural gas, this drops to "28 Years". Refer to eia.doe.gov/aer/pecss_....

28 Years is still a long time, but I would curb the enthusiasm a little.