The Ohio State Grange recently
released a study
entitled “Natural Gas Pipeline Infrastructure and Its Impact on Michigan and
Ohio Agriculture” examining the positive impacts of natural gas pipelines
construction to the agricultural sector in the Midwest, specifically in Ohio
and Michigan where shale gas development is becoming increasingly important.
The researchers highlighted
that “high costs, including high energy prices, and a lack of energy options
for many rural areas are a genuine problem for agricultural producers” while
observing that development of natural gas from shale formations could be
greatly beneficial to the agricultural sector for controlling production costs.
In comparison with other fossil fuels, natural gas can be used to generate
electricity at a lower cost. They noted that low natural gas prices will
benefit the agricultural sector provided there is adequate transportation
pipelines in the rural areas.
The researchers pointed
out that “completion of proposed pipeline projects in the Midwest, such as the
Rover pipeline, would especially benefit local areas . . . this makes it the
most likely means of alleviating constraints on energy in Michigan and Ohio in
the near future.”
Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
11/25/2015
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