Get It Right on Gas

In The New York Times, Thomas Friedman argues that natural gas production and use could be valuable for America’s economy, environment, and natural security if handled correctly. Friedman particularly highlights that many smaller drillers do not maintain high drilling standards. In June, The Hamilton Project released a discussion paper by Lucas Davis of UC Berkeley that explored new approaches to bonding requirements for producers to ensure funds are available for clean-up when natural gas accidents occur, including increasing federal minimum bond amounts and encouraging states to adopt similar minimum bond amounts for drilling on non-federal land. Read the full paper here.

The Hamilton Project also released a framing document highlighting five principles for shaping energy and environmental policy, including the need to “capitalize on the economic opportunities arising from new domestic natural gas and oil discoveries, while protecting the environment.” Learn more about the Project’s work on natural gas here.