NPC Response to Request for New Studies

By letter dated October 25, 2013, Secretary of Energy Ernest J. Moniz requested the Council’s advice on three important topics:

• Natural Gas and Oil Infrastructure Resilience (emergency preparedness for natural disasters)
• Maximizing the Climate Benefits of Natural Gas (detection, measurement, and reduction in methane emissions)
• Arctic Research (technology needed for prudent development of Arctic oil and gas resources).

The Council, with the advice of its Agenda Committee, voted to conduct studies in response to the Secretary’s requests on Emergency Preparedness and Arctic Resources. On the request on Methane Emissions, the Council agreed with its Agenda Committee that, while the request covers topics well within the Council’s range of expertise, it would be premature to begin such a project at this time given the extensive amount of relevant research and study ongoing throughout the natural gas supply chain. Accordingly, the Council voted to defer this topic.

Click here to view/download a .pdf of Secretary Moniz's letter requesting the studies.

updated 12/8/14