Although natural gas prices are volatile, the long term outlook for natural gas is bullish with U.S. consumption expected to grow from 23 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in 2001 to approximately 30 Tcf by the year 2015. Much of that supply will come from the Rocky Mountains where 27% of Lower 48 potential natural gas resources are found according to the Potential Gas Agency of the Colorado School of Mines. Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel. It is used in electricity generation, and in industrial and residential applications because of its lower Btu costs and environmentally "friendly" properties. Eighty-five percent of the United States' natural gas supply is domestically produced. In comparison, less than fifty percent of the oil consumed in the United States is domestically produced. Currently, natural gas provides more than twenty-three percent of all U.S. energy needs.

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