Texas stands to play a larger role in meeting the nation’sdemand for natural gas, according to one member of the TexasRailroad Commission. After reviewing a report by the NationalPetroleum Council titled “Meeting the Challenges of the Nation’sGrowing Natural Gas Demand,” TRC Commissioner Tony Garza said hesaw opportunities for the state.

“While our nation’s natural gas resources are clearly adequateto meet demand for many more decades, reaching and producing thisgas is growing more difficult. Texas would be well served inpositioning itself as a leader in natural gas production. We shouldactively look for ways to encourage research, development andproduction of this increasingly important commodity.

The Petroleum Council’s report found, among other things, thatdemand for gas will increase by 32% between 1998 and 2010. Thestudy estimates an increase in demand from 22 Tcf/year to 29Tcf/year by 2010 and to levels exceeding 31 Tcf/year by 2015.Almost half of the 7 Tcf increase by 2010 will come fromelectricity generation.

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