[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H3012-H3013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1210
                           SHALE NATURAL GAS

  (Mr. REED asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the 
plentiful natural gas reserves that we have in the United States. Many 
of my colleagues may not be aware of two studies which recently 
highlighted the abundance of this clean-burning domestic fuel source 
which holds so much promise.
  The first study I would like to draw attention to is the Energy 
Information Administration's Energy Outlook 2011, which analyzes energy 
production, consumption, technology, market supply and demand, and the 
direction those trends may take in the future. The outlook anticipates 
strong growth in the natural gas development and consumption because of 
development of shale gas resources. The outlook notes that growth in 
natural gas would not be permissible but for the combination of 
horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies which have 
made shale gas economical to produce. The outlook finds that hydraulic 
fracturing and horizontal drilling have led to an average annual growth 
rate of 48 percent in the time period from of 2006 to 2010.
  The second study I would like to mention is the American Gas 
Association's Potential Gas Committee 2010 biennial report.
  This report highlights the potential supply of natural gas in the 
United States. To be specific, the report finds that the Untied States 
possesses an untapped natural gas resource potential of 1,898 trillion 
cubic feet. This is the highest resource evaluation in the Potential 
Gas Committee's 46 year history.
  My Congressional District in New York State overlays a formation 
known as the Marcellus Shale. This shale play is one of the leading 
contributors to the rapid growth in estimates of recoverable natural 
gas in the United States.
  By developing and utilizing these massive natural gas reserves, we 
can begin to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and thus over time, 
reduce the cost of gasoline. As we all know, American producers and 
consumers are paying a heavy price as the cost of gasoline continues to 
rise. Everything costs more to produce, more to transport, and more to 
purchase.
  Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is both a national security 
issue and an economic issue. I urge my colleagues to consider

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these reports and support policies that will lead to the development of 
these valuable resources.

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