US needs natural gas to help power AI boom, oil group says

By Carlos Anchondo | 01/15/2025 06:22 AM EST

Leaders of the American Petroleum Institute see a key role for the fossil fuel as electricity demand rises.

A natural gas drilling site is pictured in St. Marys, Pennsylvania.

A natural gas drilling site is pictured in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Supporters of natural gas say the fuel can help meet growing U.S. electricity needs. Keith Srakocic/AP

Top brass at the American Petroleum Institute said Tuesday that natural gas will be vital if the United States is going to lead efforts to harness artificial intelligence.

Making the United States “AI dominant in the world” should be a priority for President-elect Donald Trump and his administration, said John Hess, CEO of the Hess oil and gas company, during API’s annual State of American Energy event.

A big AI build-out would require being able to produce an increasing amount of electricity.

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“To do that, you need to focus on natural gas,” said Hess, who also serves as chair of the board at API, the country’s largest oil and gas trade association.

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