Report examines Colorado, Utah gas resources

The Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) released a report Monday examining how more production and infrastructure expansion efforts could positively impact Colorado and Utah natural gas resources.

The analysis details how abundant natural gas resources in the Piceance and Uinta basins of Colorado and Utah can help regional and global communities thrive economically and environmentally.

“The Piceance-Uinta Basin has a unique advantage over other U.S. and Canadian conventional and shale production areas, which is its abundant and available pipeline export capacity throughout the western U.S.,” Andrew Browning, chief operating officer of Consumer Energy Alliance, said. “Western States and Tribal Nations (WSTN), a newly formed advocacy group, is facilitating conversations between the natural gas industry, liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, conservation groups, tribes, outdoor recreation groups and other relevant participants — all of whom want to learn how more energy production and pipelines can benefit Colorado, Utah, the sovereign Ute Indian Tribe and neighboring states, regions, the nation and other countries — fiscally and environmentally.”

LNG exports produced from the basins could add as much as $92.7 billion in annual GDP through 2050 and as much as $3.26 trillion in cumulative benefits through 2050, officials noted, adding local economies would benefit most, with Colorado potentially expecting an estimated $6 billion in revenue and about 38,000 jobs. Utah could see $4 billion in revenue and approximately 15,000 jobs.