Clean Cheap Heat: The Development of Residential Markets for Natural Gas in the United States

(Hardback)

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This work traces the development of residential natural gas markets in the United States from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. It examines how social, economic, and technological factors interrelated to bring a relatively new energy source from obscurity to general acceptance by the population. The author credits the appearance of particular appliances which helped spawn natural gas use, notes legislative developments such as the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, and shows the various effects of regulation and price changes on the market. This study should be of interest to energy economists and industry specialists, as well as economic and social historians.

Reviews

Herbert's well-written book analyzes historical sequences in the development of the market for natural gas in US households, which resulted in significant reductions in pollution. This development is traced through utilization of better household appliances as well as the impact of government policies and efforts of the natural gas industry. Estimates of the effect of pricing of gas to consumers are shown to have been limited, although pricing policies did influence investment in the industry and government regulation. Indeed the development of the residential natural gas market in the US during the first half of this century is one of its great economic success stories. The use of gas also permitted better use of leisure time especially after the 1930s. The author also discusses the use of a flat rate similar to early telephone charges and its effect on development, the use of local underground storage, and the evolution of an interconnected pipeline system. Concluding chapters discuss the lack of growth after 1973 and analyze probable developments in the 1990s. Good bibliography.-Choice
This short monograph traces the development of residential natural gas markets from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. The book is composed of nine chapters and four appendices. The first and last chapters are, respectively, an introduction and conclusion. The chapters in-between cover specific time periods beginning with the natural gas market near the turn of the century and ending with the residential market after 1973. . . . The coverage is complete and ample references are provided enabling the interested reader to pursue one or more secondary issues. If the reader has an interest in understanding the juxtaposition of the various elements relating to the development of the residential natural gas market in the United States, then this book is to be recommended.-Journal of Developing Areas
"This short monograph traces the development of residential natural gas markets from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. The book is composed of nine chapters and four appendices. The first and last chapters are, respectively, an introduction and conclusion. The chapters in-between cover specific time periods beginning with the natural gas market near the turn of the century and ending with the residential market after 1973. . . . The coverage is complete and ample references are provided enabling the interested reader to pursue one or more secondary issues. If the reader has an interest in understanding the juxtaposition of the various elements relating to the development of the residential natural gas market in the United States, then this book is to be recommended."-Journal of Developing Areas
"Herbert's well-written book analyzes historical sequences in the development of the market for natural gas in US households, which resulted in significant reductions in pollution. This development is traced through utilization of better household appliances as well as the impact of government policies and efforts of the natural gas industry. Estimates of the effect of pricing of gas to consumers are shown to have been limited, although pricing policies did influence investment in the industry and government regulation. Indeed the development of the residential natural gas market in the US during the first half of this century is one of its great economic success stories. The use of gas also permitted better use of leisure time especially after the 1930s. The author also discusses the use of a flat rate similar to early telephone charges and its effect on development, the use of local underground storage, and the evolution of an interconnected pipeline system. Concluding chapters discuss the lack of growth after 1973 and analyze probable developments in the 1990s. Good bibliography."-Choice

Author Bio

JOHN H. HERBERT is Senior Economist with the Energy Information Administration and an Adjunct Professor of Statistics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He has spent more than fifteen years as an energy analyst in both the public and private sectors, with ten years devoted to the natural gas industry specifically.