We recently wrote about how abundant shale gas has spurred a manufacturing renaissance in America. One of the companies benefitting most from low...
We recently wrote about how abundant shale gas has spurred a manufacturing renaissance in America. One of the companies benefitting most from low natural gas prices is Dow Chemical. In a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Andrew N. Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical, warns against rushing to export our country’s shale gas to overseas markets.
On the one hand, natural gas producers are eager to build export terminals and ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) to markets such as Asia and Europe, where the gas commands a much higher price. On the other hand, manufacturers such as Dow Chemical worry that exporting LNG will drive up the price of natural gas in the U.S., halting a manufacturing resurgence that has been spurred by cheap feedstock and low energy costs.
The question of whether or not U.S. producers should be allowed to export shale gas will be a source of much debate in the coming years. It is important that this issue be considered through the lens of economic growth. For that reason, in September 2013, the Bush Institute will host a major energy conference that focuses on the many ways in which regulation of the industry affects economic growth. Leading up to the conference, we will be publishing papers and covering the growth potential of the energy industry on the “Energy” page of our website. We hope readers will check back often for updates.
