{
    "title": "Appalachia First: Utilizing the Power Right Beneath Our Feet",
    "modified_at": "2023-04-12 15:18:13",
    "published_at": "2023-04-12 15:23:00",
    "url": "https://positive-energy-hub.prezly.com/appalachia-first-utilizing-the-power-right-beneath-our-feet",
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    "slug": "appalachia-first-utilizing-the-power-right-beneath-our-feet",
    "body": "<p><em>By the Positive Energy Hub Staff</em></p><p>In a room full of Ohio energy leaders, CNX executive Yemi Akinkugbe didn&rsquo;t mince words: &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t see natural gas as a bridge fuel. We see it as a catalyst fuel.&rdquo; </p><p>&ldquo;Natural gas will drive the future of the Appalachian region,&rdquo; Akinkugbe continued, as he walked the audience through the company&rsquo;s Appalachia First vision. </p><p>By putting a local emphasis on producing and using natural gas in Appalachia &ndash; first &ndash; it allows the region to prioritize local consumers&rsquo; energy needs, spur business development across multiple sectors, and create long-lasting economic growth. </p><p>Key to bringing this vision to life is by maximizing the benefits that low-cost, low-carbon natural gas provides, which positions Appalachia to lead the world in emission reductions and energy security. </p><p>It&rsquo;s natural gas that&rsquo;s led to a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Akinkugbe said, arguing expansion production and use will lead to further declines. \u200b </p><div class=\"release-content-embed release-content-embed--rich release-content-embed--contained\" id=\"embed-86aa7091-0d6a-47fe-8336-f1c4d1f7b42c\"><div class=\"iframely-embed\" style=\"max-width: 550px;\"><div class=\"iframely-responsive\" style=\"padding-bottom: 100%;\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/CNXtweets/status/1634212571061338117\" data-iframely-url=\"//cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FCNXtweets%2Fstatus%2F1634212571061338117&key=8fe6cdec03482ac31f27a6ae8ea2fb3f\"></a></div></div><script async src=\"//cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script></div><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the power of the resource we have under our feet,&rdquo; Akinkugbe said.</p><p>Investing in natural gas not only allows the nation to combat our own energy insecurity while helping the overall air quality, but it also serves as a key tool in lifting up the manufacturing potential of the region. </p><p>With Appalachia&rsquo;s unique benefit of access to existing transportation as well as enough natural resources to meet regional demand for over 50 years, natural gas creates unprecedented opportunity &ndash; opportunity that CNX is already taking the lead on with a new <a href=\"https://investors.cnx.com/news-releases/2022/07-14-2022-114517625\">manufacturing facility</a> in Hannibal, Ohio coming to the region utilizing captured coal methane to produce a biodegradable plastic alternative. </p><p>It&rsquo;s an example of the &ldquo;Appalachia First&rdquo; vision coming to life: utilize local, cost-effective, and clean natural gas to boost the region and make it a hub for manufacturing and innovation in the future. </p><p>&ldquo;Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia - we&rsquo;re at the heart of it. Let&rsquo;s leverage it,&rdquo; Akinkugbe said. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Blake",
        "last_name": "Lightholder"
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