On this Earth Day, it’s important to reflect on and appreciate the real-world energy advancements that are helping deliver a cleaner, more sustainable environment.

In the U.S., carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are down while electricity demand has increased.

Across the PJM Interconnection, which manages electric power to 65 million people in Ohio, 12 other states, and the District of Columbia, power-sector emissions have declined by nearly 50% since 2005. Reductions driven by the decisive shift to cleaner natural gas-fired power.

In shale-rich Ohio and across the larger Appalachian region, natural gas has driven a major shift in the power sector, reducing CO2 emissions. Ohio’s natural gas production, fueled by Marcellus and Utica shale development, hit historic levels in less than a decade, making Ohio a major producer. In fact, Appalachia is the largest U.S. natural gas region, accounting for about 31% of marketed production in 2024.

Since the shale revolution in the U.S., power-sector emissions have decreased significantly, despite stable energy demand over recent years, which only recently surged. Natural gas-fired power plants greatly reduce emissions relative to legacy energy sources, contributing to cleaner air and more efficient energy production. Today, as natural gas remains vital for U.S. energy needs, providing affordable and reliable energy, emissions have dropped markedly.

The facts are clear: natural gas has been one of the most effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions while supplying much-needed baseload power to the grid.

The larger Appalachian region is also a leader in reducing methane emissions.

According to a 2025 study, the Appalachian basin maintains the lowest methane emissions intensity of any major U.S. gas and oil basin, with a methane loss rate of 0.52% from the full natural gas supply chain.

Building on this progress is a priority for America’s natural gas and oil industry, which continues to implement best practices and technological advancements to reduce emissions across all segments of the industry.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, methane emissions declined 42% across U.S. onshore production regions between 2015 and 2023, underscoring the industry’s commitment to reducing emissions.

The Environmental Partnership, a natural gas and oil industry-led coalition whose members represent nearly 65% of U.S. onshore oil and gas production, helps support companies in their efforts to improve the industry’s environmental performance, including reducing methane emissions across the supply chain.

Today, the U.S. natural gas and oil industry produces and delivers energy more safely and efficiently than ever before. Although there is no “one size fits all” solution to reducing emissions, the industry remains committed to advancing technologies that support a safe, cleaner future.

In Ohio, record-setting natural gas production is delivering measurable results — driving down power-sector emissions, powering transformative economic growth, generating billions of dollars for the state’s economy annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs as a cornerstone of expanding energy-driven opportunity.

As we recognize Earth Day, we should continue building on success stories like this to strengthen our economy and a cleaner future.

Chris Zeigler is the executive director of the American Petroleum Institute-Ohio, based in Columbus.