The Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company natural gas pipeline, a network of 10,000 miles of pipeline stretching from South Texas to New York City, is seen in South Amboy, N.J., at Raritan Bay in November 2025. — AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey
The Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company natural gas pipeline, a network of 10,000 miles of pipeline stretching from South Texas to New York City, is seen in South Amboy, N.J., at Raritan Bay in November 2025. — AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey
The cost of living is out of control. Bond yields are hitting multi-year highs, and the price of groceries, gas and all other goods continue to climb ever higher. At the same time, power demand is rising far beyond expectations as the artificial intelligence race, infrastructure modernization and reindustrialization push our electric grid to the limit.
With the midterms less than two months away, Democrats have an opportunity to position themselves as the pragmatic, solutions-oriented party that voters can trust to bring down prices. One way they can do this is by adopting an all-of-the-above strategy that deploys natural gas alongside renewables to meet demand and lower costs.
Leveraging the full potential of natural gas can help achieve affordability and reliability, while paving the way for additional clean energy capacity. Today, natural gas provides 40% of America’s electricity, helping keep the lights on in homes, maintain business and manufacturing operations, and move people and goods across the country. Renewable infrastructure certainly shows lots of promise, but cannot yet meet current demands. Natural gas is also a significantly more affordable source of energy, as gas-powered households save over $1,000 compared to homes that rely on electricity alone. Realizing the full potential of this energy source can provide immediate relief to hardworking American families and give us more time to develop longer-term, clean alternatives.
Democrats are already starting to embrace more balanced energy policies, and it will pay off handsomely for the party at the ballot box. In Virginia, Governor Abigail Spanberger has promoted an efficacious strategy calls for more renewables, but leans on natural gas to help meet today’s needs. In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a comprehensive, all-of-the-above plan that aims to create jobs, lower costs, expedite permitting, and secure the state’s grid.
As more leaders signal support for these policies, voter sentiment follows suit. Recent polling from Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future found that if Virginia candidates back balanced energy policies, voters will elect them to office. A similar statewide survey of Pennsylvania voters found that 68% want candidates who embrace the middle ground on energy, compared to those who enact aggressive climate policy.
In this era of economic strain, conflict, and global uncertainty, policymakers are scrambling to position themselves and their parties as trusted stewards of affordability. Advancing an inclusive energy strategy that pairs natural gas with renewables is an incredibly effective way to deliver for the American people – allowing us to expand our power supply and lower prices for hardworking families. Case in point: According to the Blue States, High Rates report, five of the six Democratic-led states (Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Virginia and Washington) with electricity rates below the national average all have new planned natural gas plants. That isn’t a coincidence. It’s clear evidence that if Democrats leverage all-of-the-above energy, they can lower the cost of living.
Policymakers in the Commonwealth and across the U.S. have an enormous opportunity to meet the moment and make a real difference for the American people. Let’s lead on affordability by expanding natural gas infrastructure and maintaining investments in renewables. We can address current economic pains without derailing future environmental goals. It’s time to get to work.
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Michael A. Nutter served as the 98th mayor of Philadelphia from 2008 to 2016. He currently co-chairs the Leadership Council for national co-chair Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future.
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