Meeting: 'Critical Issues Forum: The Benefits and Risks of a US Methane Economy'
What will the energy mix for U.S. look like in 30 years? Will natural gas fuel our cars, heat our homes, and provide most of our electricity? The inaugural Critical Issues Forum hosted by the American Geosciences Institute will examine two important questions:
1) Is a natural gas dominant economy achievable in North America?
2) Would a natural gas dominant economy be desirable?
To seek answers to these questions, leaders in the energy, environmental, and economic sectors will converge in Fort Worth, Texas to discuss what may be an emerging, natural gas dominant, Methane Economy.
"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 responsibility, efficiently and to address the concerns of the U.S. public," said Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, AGI's Executive Director.
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. 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.
The Critical Issues Forum "America's Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy" will be held in Fort Worth, Texas from November 19-20, 2014. Event registration is open and can be found at http://bit.ly/ciforum-14. Audience members will help shape and move the discussion. Members of the press are encouraged to come, and should contact Meg Gilley at mgilley@americangeosciences.org.
Provided by American Geosciences Institute
