The pursuit of a decarbonized and clean energy future is quite often positioned as a battle between renewable energy technologies and fossil fuels, but the reality remains that many applications of oil and gas are not yet ready or suitable to be replaced completely with electricity. But in this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Suzanne Ogle (President & CEO of the Southern Gas Association, or SGA), highlights how natural gas can be a key partner for renewable power in the years to come, enabling greater pursuit of low and no carbon energy.
To help explain these ideas that may run counter to some of the common narratives, Suzanne discusses the role of SGA, the opportunities that gas present to proliferate decarbonized energy, and the outlook for the industry in the years to come. In this conversation, she shares:
"I think a lot of people look at natural gas as a bridge fuel to maybe a lower emissions today from these higher emitting energy. I'm going to tell you this is one of the things that I keep pounding my drum on is people inside our industry and people outside our industry keep using the word transition, and I think that's a really misleading word. I think it's been the catalyst for some confusion and misinformation that we're bombarded with. If I think about the word transition, that means to move from one to another with one going away and practically and ideologically, that's not going to happen, nor is it the best solution. So I believe everybody should replace this word transition with the word evolution, which is exactly what we're doing with our energy system and our industry's doing that as well. We're evolving.
And so if you ask me what's in store for the natural gas industry, I'm going to tell you it's more technology, it's simpler processes, it's higher productivity, it's tighter systems, and all these things are going to curb the impact on the environment. Our industry's road to internal sustainability runs parallel to environmental sustainability. And so while there are people who are entrenched in the assumption that the world can survive without natural gas or fossil fuels for that matter, I would tell you that we're actually the hero here to help people reach the common goals and provide intergenerational wellbeing in a really predictable and resilient, which is probably the key word, is resilient, energy system."
This entry into the podcasts, like all of the series episodes, can be found on all major podcast outlets, including iTunes and Spotify, or it can be listened to directly on the Energy Central platform (where we also feature a written transcription if you'd prefer to read). Give it a listen and share your reaction in the comments.
Episode #123: 'Exploring the Role of Gas in the Decarbonization Journey' with Suzanne Ogle, President and CEO of Southern Gas Association [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]
About Energy Central Podcast Series:
The 'Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast' Series features conversations with thought leaders in the utility sector. At least twice monthly, we'll connect with a Power Industry Leader to discuss compelling topics that impact utility professionals. Some podcasts may be a continuation of thought-provoking posts or discussions started in the community by an Energy Central Community Member. Others may be with an industry leader interested in sharing their expertise and doing a deeper dive into hot topics or issues relevant to the industry.
If you want to be a guest on a future episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast, let us know! We'll be pulling guests from our community members who submit engaging content that gets our community talking, and perhaps that next guest will be you! Likewise, if you see an article submitted by a fellow Energy Central community member that you'd like to hear about in more detail, feel free to send us a note to nominate them. To contact us, email community@energycentral.com. Podcast interviews are free for Expert Members and professionals who work for a utility. We have package offers available for solution providers and vendors.
About Energy Central:
Energy Central is a community platform for electric power industry professionals to share, learn and connect in a collaborative environment. Supported by leading industry organizations, our mission is to help industry professionals connect and advance knowledge sharing for the benefit of the industry. We help the industry work better. Join the Energy Central Community today and be part of a growing community of over 200,000 registered members.
Contact:
Energy Central
303-782-5510
service@energycentral.com
Front Page
Power News
Today's News
E-mail
Print