Energizing Maryland
Mark Green
Posted September 29, 2016
While Maryland has no oil and natural gas production, the state is home to one of the most important new pieces of energy infrastructure in the country – the Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility at Lusby that’s scheduled to come online next year.
Click on the thumbnail to view a two-page energy infographic for the Free State (also called the Old Line State).
Cove Point is one of a handful of LNG export projects approved so far by the Energy Department. Cheniere’s facility at Sabine Pass, La., started exporting LNG this year. Four others, including Cove Point, are under construction. (Click here for the most recent video update on Cove Point’s construction.)
Exporting LNG is an important part of U.S. energy policy, connecting domestic natural gas with friends and allies overseas, strengthening our balance of trade and giving buyers abroad supply options on the world market.
As for energy in Maryland, nuclear power accounts for 41 percent of the state’s net generation of electricity while coal provides 38.7 percent. Natural gas is next at 11.3 percent. Fossil fuels accounted for 62.7 percent of the energy Marylanders used in 2014, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
An all-of-the-above energy narrative is playing out in Maryland – as it is in the country at large. The United States is the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas, fuels that are complemented by coal, nuclear, solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. It’s an approach that serves the nation well and should be supported by pro-development policies. A number of the benefits of such policies are reflected in a chart on Page 2 of the Maryland infographic.
Energy is essential for virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It powers national, state and local economies, gets us to work and goes into products we rely on for health and comfort. Safe, responsible energy development here at home is linked to national security as well as Americans’ individual prosperity and liberty – in Maryland and all the 50 states of energy.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.