Energy Switch — Season 1, Episode 12: Does the US Need Oil & Gas Industry?

Episode synopsis

The oil and gas industry provides 10 million US jobs and billions to the economy. Cheap, available oil makes transportation and products affordable. Abundant gas has offset coal in power generation, and can balance intermittent renewables. But the economic benefits can be cyclical, and investors in the US and Europe are fleeing due to CO2 concerns and declining returns. Other environmental challenges include methane leaks, water use, and oil spills. Does the US need a thriving oil and gas industry? Or should we more actively transition to lower carbon emission energies. Could a system built on those realistically replace the benefits of oil and gas? Dr. David Victor, a Professor of Innovation and Public Policy at UC San Diego, and Matt Gallagher, former President and CEO of Parsley Energy, weigh in.

About Energy Switch

Energy Switch brings together two renowned experts from government, NGOs, academia and industry, with differing perspectives on important energy and climate topics. Hosted by renowned global energy expert, Dr. Scott Tinker.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1How Should We Respond to Climate Change?
• E2Future of Natural Gas
• E3Solar & Wind Power the World? Part 1
• E4Solar & Wind Power the World? Part 2
• E5Is Hydrogen our Energy Future?
• E6Investing in our energy future
• E7New Geopolitics of Energy
• E8More Nuclear Power? Part 1
• E9More Nuclear Power? Part 2
• E10Making Energy More Sustainable
• E11Policies to Reduce CO2