Video: Thompson Remarks on EIA "Today in Energy” Report

Remarks:

"Mr. Speaker, last week the U.S. Energy Information Administration published its “Today in Energy” report, which illustrated that shale gas provided the largest share of U.S. natural gas production in 2013.

According to the report, gross withdrawals from shale gas wells increased to 33 billion cubic feet in 2013, representing 40% of total natural gas production, and surpassing production from non-shale gas wells.

According to EIA, production in Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas accounted for 79% of total shale gas extraction nationwide, and Pennsylvania has become the second-largest shale gas producing state.

I should note that, in 2007, shale gas made up just 8% of total natural gas produced in the U.S., with Texas alone accounting for 63% of total production nationally.

Continuing a trend, production gains have enabled a decline in natural gas imports for the sixth straight year, reaching the lowest level since 1995.

Mr. Speaker, due to the innovation of private industry our domestic energy resources are now easier to attain at a much lower cost, which is benefitting the American consumer and our nation’s economic competitiveness.

I yield back."