America's Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy: Report of the Critical Issues Forum

This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the November 2014 American Geosciences Institute (AGI) Critical Issues Forum on natural gas. The two-day meeting examined many dimensions of America’s Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy and considered two major questions: Is a natural gas-dominant economy achievable in North America? Would a natural gas-dominant economy be desirable? This report covers vital conversations highlighting the importance of the geosciences in society. The AGI Critical Issues Forum series was created to serve as a platform to reach a broad audience of decision makers, including those at the regional, state, and local levels, and to improve public understanding and perception of the geosciences.