Risks for New Natural Gas Developments in Appalachia

This research paper examines the economic viability of the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, arguing that the region is vulnerable to low prices and a global shift toward low-carbon energy sources.

• The natural gas industry in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia is susceptible to economic instability due to sustained low prices for domestic gas and natural gas liquids.
• The growth of the gas industry in Appalachia, driven by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, faces risks as global energy markets, including the U.S., transition toward inexpensive renewables and low-carbon energy, a trend accelerated by the global pandemic.
• The potential decline of the gas industry mirrors the previous collapse of the coal industry in Appalachia, creating economic risks for communities dependent on gas extraction for tax revenue and employment.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2021). Risks for New Natural Gas Developments in Appalachia. https://www.sei.org/publications/risks-for-new-natural-gas-developments-in-appalachia

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Risks for New Natural Gas Developments in Appalachia. 2021. https://www.sei.org/publications/risks-for-new-natural-gas-developments-in-appalachia.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Risks for New Natural Gas Developments in Appalachia |date=23 March 2021 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/risks-for-new-natural-gas-developments-in-appalachia |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2021risks, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Risks for New Natural Gas Developments in Appalachia}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/risks-for-new-natural-gas-developments-in-appalachia}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }