To the editor:

The May 2 guest column “Lessons from Earth Day” leveled well-worn, unfounded criticisms of the natural gas industry and pipeline projects including the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia which, as usual, ignore the economic benefits that this critical industry provides to families, farmers and local businesses in Ohio.

Here’s a brief look at how the Buckeye State has benefited from natural gas:

¯ Lower natural gas prices from 2006-18 saved Ohio residents $20.3 billion and commercial and industrial users more than $34 billion, a Consumer Energy Alliance shows;

¯ Core shale-related jobs (with an average wage of $83,753) climbed 90 percent from 2011-19 while other Ohio industries had an 8.1 percent increase; and

¯ Ohio’s emissions during two decades decreased considerably as natural gas production increased, supporting a 94 percent drop in sulfur dioxide, 74 percent decline in carbon monoxide and a 16 percent drop in carbon dioxide.

Natural gas produced in the Ohio Valley region during the past decade generated more than 85 percent of U.S. production growth, and independent estimates indicate it will supply roughly half of all U.S. natural gas output by 2040. This growth in energy production has proven to be a game-changer for U.S. chemical manufacturing and American competitiveness against foreign rivals whose interests are not always ours.

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the vulnerability of our supply chains and our over-reliance on China for essential products that, like our natural gas, should be made in America. The facts make it clear that Ohioans’ lives, livelihoods and environment are better off with a balanced energy approach that includes natural gas, as well as renewables and continued efforts to improve efficiency. It’s unfortunate that some continue to make cookie-cutter criticisms that ignore the facts and attempt to create a false choice that pits energy against environmental stewardship.

Chris Ventura

Midwest director

Consumer Energy Alliance

Columbus