After numerous winter storms and sustained cold temperatures have struck across the nation, several US states are experiencing shortages in natural gas supplies.

This winter season has been particularly cold for several US states, as numerous reports have emerged of natural gas shortages.

In New Mexico, Governor Susana Martinez has declared a state of emergency after record-breaking cold temperatures have complicated an already-short supply of natural gas. According to The New Mexico Independent, the New Mexico Gas Company released a statement, saying, “Due to rolling black outs in West Texas and other problems, the delivery of natural gas into New Mexico has been impeded. States in the southwest are experiencing similar issues.”

The shortage has a considerable footprint. Local El Paso Fox affiliate, KFOX, reported that residents have been asked to limit natural gas usage, and Arizona is experiencing shortages in Tucson, citing unusually high demand, according to Fox affiliate KSAZ.

Meanwhile, tensions in Egypt have begun to cloud the future prospects for the ready supply of liquid natural gas, LNG. According to a NASDAQ report, “U.S. imports of LNG in 2007 were approximately three times the amount in 2000. The U.S. Energy Department estimated a 42% hike in LNG imports in 2010 to 1.76 billion cubic feet per day, and expects the supply to increase an additional 2.8% in 2011 to 1.81 billion cubic feet per day.”

However, the shortage issue may reflect the logistics of delivery. The Wall Street Journal reported that natural gas futures have dipped, as supply appears to have surpassed demand.

But either way, the end result remains the same: US residents in many states are feeling winter’s chill.

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