ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading management consulting firms specializing in energy, recently released its latest edition of The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update (EIU). Themed “Take It to the Limit,” this EIU explores the changing environment for natural gas companies, as gas utilities face risks and opportunities with the push toward decarbonization.
For more than a decade, natural gas production has increased significantly, resulting in relative price stability, customer growth for gas utilities, and a coal-replacement fuel for power generation.
At the same time, decarbonization initiatives at the state and municipal levels are presenting complications for gas utilities. While a few communities have proposed policies limiting end-use natural gas usage, intending to reduce CO2 emissions, others have taken steps to ensure availability of gas as an economically attractive fuel. Regardless of the direction of policy, gas utilities can undertake several near-term actions and develop longer-term strategies to reshape service offerings that meet an evolving energy market and customer preferences.
These tactics and strategies will be along two fronts: continuing and enhancing existing programs, processes, and initiatives and developing new services and business practices that help achieve decarbonization goals. “As gas utilities have observed decarbonization efforts, some are taking the initiative to improve the emissions profile of the gas value chain,” explains Greg Litra, partner at ScottMadden. “Gas utilities have made notable progress with reducing emissions, and there are three areas they can focus on to further these efforts, including baselining and benchmarking, decarbonizing the gas stream, and focusing on resource optimization.”
For a closer look at the challenges and opportunities ahead for gas utilities, you can hear from Greg Litra in this new video or access our latest report here.
Complimentary Energy Industry Update Webcast
If you have not yet registered, we encourage you to join ScottMadden’s complimentary webcast, “ScottMadden’s Energy Industry Update – “Take It to the Limit” on Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 1PM–2PM EST. During this session, our industry experts will share their views and field questions related to the future of the gas utility, 100% clean energy goals and how they may be impacted by COVID-19, and regulatory strategy during a pandemic. Cristin Lyons, partner and energy practice leader, will serve as webcast moderator. Register for this webcast here.
About ScottMadden’s Energy Practice
We know energy from the ground up. Since 1983, we have served as energy consultants for hundreds of utilities, large and small, including all of the top 20. We focus on Transmission & Distribution, the Grid Edge, Generation, Energy Markets, Rates & Regulation, Enterprise Sustainability, and Corporate Services. Our broad, deep utility expertise is not theoretical—it is experience based. We have helped our clients develop and implement strategies, improve critical operations, reorganize departments and entire companies, and implement myriad initiatives.