Natural gas production in the United States is on pace to decline this year as energy demands soar and concerns grow about sufficient flow of power for a reliable electric grid, according to the Energy Information Administration. 

The agency revealed its forecasts Tuesday in its Short Term Energy Outlook, which now predicts 2024 will be the first year natural gas output has declined since 2020 — a development that is likely to fuel GOP criticism of President Joe Biden’s focus on clean energy as he prepares to leave office.