in clean energy  Renewable Energy Impact on   Natural Gas Fact Sheet (PDF)

America has awoken to a natural gas crisis. On June 10, 2003, Federal Reserve Board Chair Alan Greenspan testified to Congress, "We are not apt to return to earlier periods of relative abundance and low prices anytime soon." A study by a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas economist found that high gas prices may cut U.S. economic growth by as much as 2.1 percent.

In December, the U.S. Energy Information Administration raised its forecast of long-term natural gas prices—for the 7th year in a row [see graph].

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Most responses to date have focused on solutions for increasing natural gas supply, though it is increasingly recognized that conservation and efficiency improvements are the fastest, least expensive near-term options for balancing demand and supply. What has been almost entirely neglected is any consideration of the role that wind, solar, and other renewable energy resources can play in reducing the demand for and price of natural gas. To learn more about how renewable energy can protect consumers by providing a hedge against volatile natural gas prices, read the fact sheet in the Related Links box above.