EMF 26: Changing the Game? Emissions and Market Implications of New Natural Gas Supplies

Completed

Investigator: Hillard Huntington

Abstract: 

This study evaluates the channels through which shale formations and new natural gas supplies can change energy, economic and environmental opportunities within North America. It concludes that continued shale gas development within North America is likely to have more sweeping impacts on future energy prices than on the economy or the environment. This evaluation was conducted by a working group of 50 experts and advisors from a range of diverse universities, research institutes, corporations and government agencies. Support for the study’s conclusions came from 14 different expert teams using their own energy-economy models.

This report summarizes the work conducted by a working group of about 50 company, government and university experts and advisors that was organized by the Stanford University Energy Modeling Forum. It concludes that continued shale gas development within North America is likely to have more sweeping impacts on future energy prices than on the economy or the environment.  The working group explored several key issues and focused on the implications of the rapid growth of US natural gas supplies - primarily shale gas - and address both emissions and consumer market implications; it drew on the shale gas reserve and production estimates developed by others (such as EIA, MIT and National Petroleum Council); and evaluated the implications for North American markets (international opportunities might be a future effort).

A new report on EMF 26: "Changing the Game?: Emissions and Market Implications of New Natural Gas Supplies" has been issued by the EMF 26 Working Group and is available for download along with the data set containing model results.

EMF 26:  "Changing the Game?: Emissions and Market Implications of New Natural Gas Supplies" is available below.

Changing the Game?: Emissions and Market Implications of New Natural Gas Supplies

Press Articles:

The Shale Gas Boom Won't do much for Climate Change.  (The Washington Post, October 21, 2013)

Natural Gas is not a Weapon to be Wielded Against Russia (Forbes, March 27, 2014)

Downloads

Preliminary Assumptions for the High Demand Technology Case