From plastic holiday wreaths to elaborate gift wrapping, decorations and traditions ensure that the holiday season remains the most festive time of year. However, many may not realize that natural gas-derived products are used throughout holiday celebrations – beyond keeping the lights on and furnaces running.
Natural gas products are vital to various components of holiday decorations, costumes, and gifts. As millions of Americans are completing their shopping, it is important to understand the essential role that West Virginia’s energy production plays in both ensuring American energy security, as well as creating every day and holiday-specific products.
The abundance of domestic natural gas production across the U.S. ensures an affordable manufacturing feedstock to create plastic and synthetic materials used in packaging, decorations, toys, clothing and much more. As the fourth largest natural gas producer in the county—accounting for approximately 10% of the nation’s capacity, West Virginia’s energy industry plays an essential role in supporting all holiday traditions.
The reality is without Appalachia’s strong natural gas reserves, and the feedstock it provides to manufacturing, millions of Americans would experience widespread shortages of essential products—not only during the holidays but year-round.
As a result, the natural gas industry supports thousands of jobs across the Mountain State. Alongside the over 15,000 direct jobs from natural gas and oil production, West Virginia’s manufacturing industry accounts for approximately 46,000 jobs, representing $8.49 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These good-paying jobs help support West Virginian communities and represent the critical role of the energy industry in meeting increased demand for consumer goods, as well as providing an affordable, reliable energy source.
“Natural gas and oil development drives significant gains across our state, supporting job and economic prosperity for local communities and consumers across Appalachia,” explained GO-WV Board Chair Jim Crews.
As we celebrate the holiday season, it is important to understand the profound impact of the natural gas and oil industry on our daily lives and during special occasions. From gift wrapping to holiday attire and artificial holiday trees, natural gas-derived products are a key element across celebrations.
Expanded domestic natural gas and oil production will be essential to ensuring the continued availability of everyone’s favorite holiday décor and traditions. It is critical that lawmakers and regulators advance policies that support additional investments in essential energy infrastructure to support the industry’s growth and capacity expansion. The bottom line: energy security extends beyond power generation and natural gas production is integral to the production of consumer goods, which we use even more during the holiday season.
