Press briefing June 9 at MIT: Release of MIT natural gas report

**Note: This press briefing will also be webcast. Scroll down for details.**

Despite its vital importance to the national economy, natural gas has often been overlooked in the debate about the future of energy in the U.S. Over the past few years this has finally started to change, and natural gas is finding its place at the heart of the country’s energy discourse.

On Thursday, June 9, the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) will release the final results of a major study on the future of natural gas. The study — a summary of which was released in June 2010 — addresses several major questions, including:

• How much natural gas is there in the world, and how expensive is it to develop?
• What is the role of natural gas in a carbon-restrained economy?
• Could natural gas, in one form or another, be a viable substitute for gasoline or diesel?
• What is the geopolitical significance of the ever-expanding role of natural gas in the global economy?

Please join us at MIT on Thursday, June 9, to learn more about the report from its authors. Details of the briefing and webcast are below.

WHO: Study authors:

• Ernest J. Moniz, Director, MIT Energy Initiative
• Henry Jacoby, Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management
• Tony Meggs, MIT visiting engineer

WHEN: Thursday, June 9:

• noon-1 p.m.: lunch
• 1-3 p.m.: briefing/webcast

WHERE: Cambridge Marriott Hotel, 50 Broadway (between Ames and Third streets), Cambridge

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO RSVP: Contact Patti Richards in the MIT News Office; prichards@mit.edu or 617-253-9023

TO WATCH THE WEBCAST: Please contact Patti Richards (see above) in the MIT News Office; details will follow.