Cracking the Code: Telling the energy story
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In Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Nathan, Shale Crescent USA president, and I were interviewed by Turkish media. They did audio and video and translated into Turkish. The audio was turned into articles for print media.
The questions asked were meant to inform Turkish viewers and readers. No trick questions. No commentary. They believe people are smart and think for themselves. The media reports and people decide. What a novel idea. The difference in media versions was the questions asked.
Media articles telling the story of the Shale Crescent Region from our interviews included:
* U.S. states court Turkish investors with low-cost energy pitch - Anadolu
* U.S. energy hub courts Turkish investors with cost-advantage pitch - Yeni Safak English
* U.S. States Court Turkish Investors by Highlighting Cheap Energy - Mena FN
We also had TV coverage.
The following are excerpts from an article about Shale Crescent USA in the business section of "Turkiye Today" on Feb. 8.
Most business people around the world know the U.S. is the leading oil and gas producer in the world. Most wrongly assume all the oil and gas is in Texas. Shale Crescent's Mission is to create an awareness of this region, the massive amount of energy we have and the benefits to manufacturers of locating close to the energy and in the middle of customers.
The following are excerpts from an article about Shale Crescent USA in the business section of "Turkiye Today" on Feb. 8:
"Nathan Lord, president of Shale Crescent USA, told Anadolu Agency that the nonprofit economic development organization aims to attract industrial investment to the shale gas basin covering Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia by emphasizing the region's low-cost energy advantage. Lord said energy costs are a decisive factor for heavy industry, noting that sectors such as rubber, glass, automotive, steel and petrochemicals require a continuous and affordable energy supply. He pointed to the natural gas production capacity of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, saying the scale of supply is significant at the global level. 'If Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania were a country, they would be the world's third-largest natural gas producer after the rest of the United States and Russia,' Lord said. 'The cheapest natural gas and electricity in the U.S. are found in the Shale Crescent region, which provides unmatched profitability and supply security for energy-intensive manufacturing.' …
"Greg Kozera, marketing director of Shale Crescent USA, also spoke to Anadolu Agency, Stressing the importance of infrastructure for industrial growth, Kozera said, 'During my time in Turkiye, I learned this: Europeans talk; Turks act,' Kozera said. 'In Turkiye, investors are encouraged, not blocked. I saw new industrial zones rising along the Istanbul-Ankara corridor. In Europe, facilities are closing.'
"He advised energy-intensive Turkish companies to prioritize proximity to energy sources when making long-term investment decisions. 'If you are a high-energy user, find the energy first,' Kozera said. 'The closer you are to the energy source, the higher your long-term profitability.'"
It is important that Turkish media and Turkish companies not only understood the Shale Crescent USA message, they acted on it! We sent emails to the manufacturing companies we met with after returning home requesting follow-up video meetings. Companies responded quickly. We are doing one to two video calls a day with prospect companies. Several companies have approached us with very specific projects and time tables. Our region is now under consideration. Turkish companies understand the importance of dependable, economical energy.
Turkey has an engineering-based view of energy based on my observations. Science changes with new discoveries like we see in medicine and astronomy. Engineering is mathematics-based. It doesn't change. The amount of energy in a barrel of oil or in a cubic foot of natural gas is easy to calculate.
Turkey doesn't have a lot of oil and natural gas. Most is imported from neighboring Russia and Iran. In 2026, Turkey now uses hydro to produce 27% of its electricity. Natural gas is 21%. They are the second-largest coal producer in Europe. Coal produces 18% of their electricity. Solar is 19% and wind 11%. Renewables are used out of necessity in order to replace as much imported energy as possible.
This compares to European countries choosing not to use fossil fuels or nuclear power like Germany. Electricity in Europe is over twice the cost of electricity in the Shale Crescent USA. Turkey is building a nuclear power plant they expect to provide 10% of their power.
In the U.S., energy became political. For four years, additions to our PJM grid were based on carbon, not reliability. During the snow/ice storm in January, brutal cold increased power demand. For days, solar panels were covered with ice and snow when electricity was needed most. The PJM website showed zero contributions from renewables and a grid on the edge facing high demand.
With the announcements of new natural gas power plants, the problem is being addressed. The Shale Crescent USA region fuels most of the eastern U.S., providing baseload natural gas and coal power. Shale Crescent USA has the fuel to provide electricity and natural gas needed for our people today and to fuel increased manufacturing for a bright future.
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Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a master's in environmental engineering and over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and many published articles.