API: 10 fast facts about Ohio’s energy revolution for the Democratic debate

October 15, 2019

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination debate in Ohio, but many support policies that would undermine the very state hosting their debate.

Almost all of the state's natural gas production comes from Utica gas wells, but several candidates are threatening to suppress Ohio’s energy revolution with bans on fracking and natural gas exports. Whether it’s the Ohio manufacturers whose facilities run on clean natural gas, the farmers who rely on motor fuels to put food on America’s tables, or the almost seven out of ten Ohioans that use clean natural gas to heat their homes during the winter, the natural gas and oil industry is helping to power progress in Ohio.

Below are ten fast facts highlighting the integral role of natural gas and oil in Ohio:

Ohio’s natural gas production in 2018 was more than 28 times greater than in 2012. (EIA)
Ohio is among the top 10 natural gas-consuming states. (EIA)
“Nearly 7 out of 10 households use natural gas for home heating” (EIA)
“Ohio ranks first [among the Appalachian basin states] in crude oil production and in oil reserves” (EIA)
“Ohio is consistently among the top 10 crude oil-refining states in the nation.” (EIA)
…Which Has Been A Boon For Ohio’s Economy
PwC report: The natural gas and oil industry supports more than 262,000 jobs in Ohio.
Ohio University: “This surge in natural gas production has resulted in the state GDP contribution from oil and gas activity to nearly triple over the last four to five years.”
Cleveland State University: “Total investment in Ohio’s resource rich shale energy sector has reached $74 billion since tracking began in 2011...”
As Natural Gas-Generated Electricity Increased, Electricity-Related CO₂ Emissions Have Decreased
The use of natural gas at Ohio's power plants was more than 13 times greater in 2018 than in 2008, and natural gas-generated electricity grew from about 2% of the state's generation in 2008 to 34% in 2018. (EIA)
Electric power CO₂ emissions in Ohio declined nearly 40% from 2005 to 2017. (EIA)