Ontario is expanding access to natural gas for thousands of families and businesses in rural, northern and First Nations communities, which is helping to significantly lower heating costs. This expansion could save families as much as $1,100 annually, and it’s all part of Ontario’s Natural Gas Grant Program, which will provide approximately $100 million to support projects that aim to create opportunity and make life more affordable. Enbridge Gas Distribution and Union Gas customers are among those who will benefit. “Increasing access to natural gas is good news for Ontario’s agricultural sector and our rural, northern and indigenous communities,” said Jeff Leal, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs and the minister responsible for small business.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. natural gas production and marketed natural gas production reached record levels in 2017. This increase substantially boosted exports. Gross withdrawals reached 90.9 billion cubic feet per day, which is the agency’s highest volume on record. At the same time, natural gas exports increased 36 percent, making the United States a net natural gas exporter for the first time in nearly 60 years. For the five months beginning in July 2017, gross withdrawals nationwide increased every month, reaching a record monthly high of 96.7 Bcf per day in December, while marketed natural gas production set an annual record of 78.9 Bcf per day.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has announced approximately $264 million in project selections intended to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program will distribute funds to 139 projects in 52 states and territories. Among the projects that are slated to receive funding are those that will add compressed natural gas buses to city fleets, including projects in Miami-Dade County, Florida; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Atlanta; Springfield, Illinois; Cape Fear, North Carolina; and others. “Every day, working families across America rely on buses, and these grants will ensure that these vital services continue to be both safe and efficient,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
Students at the College of Staten Island in New York can now get a firsthand look at what it’s like to work on Wall Street with the new Con Edison Trading Room, which features a digital display with real-time stock updates, along with financial and analytical software. This new technology is designed to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math careers, learn how to be a trader on Wall Street or even become a future Con Edison employee, according to Frances Resheske, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Con Edison. “To have young people who are learning these skills is critical,” she said.
Southern California Gas Co. is testing a new residential natural gas furnace that cuts emissions significantly and meets the requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s aggressive air pollution reduction standards. Developed by Rheem, the Ultra-Low NOx furnace is being tested by SoCalGas engineers and HVAC contractors at the utility’s laboratory and in field trials in Southern California homes. It took engineers five years to develop the technology to reduce NOx emissions by 65 percent. “Across Southern California, people prefer natural gas 4 to 1 over electricity because it is more affordable and reliable,” said Yuri Freedman, senior director for business development at SoCalGas. “Technological advances like this new residential furnace show that we can make meaningful environmental gains while protecting consumer choice.”
In 2017, Public Service Enterprise Group purchased $532 million in goods and services from minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses—nearly a 13 percent increase from 2016—setting a new company record. Overall, PSEG did $2.1 billion in business with New Jersey-based companies last year, helping to drive the state’s economy. “We’ve increased our total diverse-supplier expenditures by more than 300 percent over the past decade,” said David Daly, president and chief operating officer of PSEG. “Supplier diversity is one of PSEG’s most important programs and is closely aligned with our commitments to our customers, the communities we serve and the entire state of New Jersey.”
FortisBC is boosting liquefied natural gas container shipments to China, after delivering Canada’s first LNG shipment to China late last year. Recently, FortisBC filled 20 additional LNG containers at the Tilbury facility in Delta, British Columbia, bound for China Energy Reserve and Chemicals Group, based in Beijing. Additional LNG shipments are planned for the rest of the year. “FortisBC is exploring opportunities to provide small-scale customers in China with LNG to help them achieve their goals of reducing air pollution,” said Douglas Stout, FortisBC’s vice president of market development and external relations.
Columbia Gas of Ohio worked with first responders on the Smell and Tell Firefighter Video Contest, which was designed to educate the public about natural gas safety. The contest challenged fire departments in the Columbia Gas of Ohio service territory to create videos that explain how to “smell and tell,” or how to identify the presence of natural gas and properly report it. The contest highlighted the importance of knowing what to do when you smell gas. “Our communities couldn’t stay safe without the critical work of local fire departments, so we’re looking forward to rewarding the contest winner with $5,000 to support their continued safety efforts,” said Columbia Gas Communications Manager Bill Loomer.
A new report by LNG Allies showcases the U.S. liquefied natural gas industry’s potential for significant economic benefits and job growth through 2050. The study indicates that the cumulative economic impact from LNG plants will range from $716 billion to $1.267 trillion, and they will support 2 million to 3.9 million job-years. When considering both the LNG and natural gas supply, the cumulative economic benefits of U.S. LNG exports would range from $1.664 trillion to $3.255 trillion and an average of 205,403 to 432,897 jobs per year. “U.S. LNG exports are driving the transformation of the international gas trade to an increasingly well-connected global market,” said LNG Allies President and CEO Fred H. Hutchison.