"Shale gas helping reduce carbon & overall emissions – but by how much?"

Discussions regarding the development of shale gas resources in the United States generate many conflicting viewpoints from environmentalists, economic developers, natural gas producers, manufacturers of products that use natural gas and those that use natural gas in their homes, vehicles and industrial applications.  Additionally, use of natural gas to displace coal for power generation may offer significant reductions in oxides of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen.   Jim Pierobon's article suggests that  "The results are adding up. It’s hard to ignore how the surging deployment of natural gas for industrial uses and power generation is reducing the growth in U.S. carbon and other harmful emissions and possibly lowering overall emissions."   We need to have an open discussion to explore where shale gas development might benefit our economy and our environment as well as at what cost.  How does the increased use of natural gas affect our ability to deploy energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative vehicles/fuels?    See the article at:  http://theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/103281/shale-gas-helping...   

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