From VOA Learning English, this is
the Economics Report.
The growth1 of natural gas and oil production2 in the United States has changed3 experts' predictions4
about energy worldwide5.
Recently6,
delegates at a conference in Texas spoke7
of a world increasingly8
powered by9 what
they call unconventional fuels10.
By this11, they mean12 fuels that are
not petroleum. The United States is increasing13
its natural gas production. But the
biggest14 energy user15,
transportation, still16
depends largely on oil17.
Daniel Akerson is the chairman18 of General
Motors. He says offering home natural gas fueling
stations19 might
help20. But he says that is not likely to happen21 until22 the United States supports the creation23 of far more24 fueling stations nationwide25.
Cars and trucks26 powered by natural gas are costly27. That is why28 John
Felmy of the American Petroleum Institute says any change29 has to start with30 large commercial vehicles. He says family-sized vehicles would cost too much32
compared to other electric or gas-powered ones.
He thinks it would be wise33 to suggest34 the export of liquefied35 natural gas as a way36 for producers to expand their business37. John Felmy says such exports38 would cut39 the United
States' trade deficit40
and create more jobs.
Yet41 he believes they would
have only42 a small effect on the price43
most44 people pay.
Energy officials from many countries wanted to learn45 how they could expand their own46 natural gas
production at the conference in Houston.
For many nations, this is a way to fight poverty47.
Arsenio Mabote is chairman of Mozambique's National Petroleum Institute. He
says energy resources48
can be used49 to generate electricity50
and that brings development51.
For VOA Learning English, I'm Laurel Bowman. (Adapted from a radio program
broadcast 12Apr2013)
Vocabulary
1.Growth = crescimento
2.oil production = produção de petróleo
3.has changed = tem mudado
4.experts' predictions = previsões dos especialistas
5.worldwide = mundialmente
6.Recently = recentemente
7.Spoke = falou
8.Increasingly = cada vez mais
9.powered by = movido a
10.
unconventional fuels =
combustiveis não convencionais
11.
By this = por isto
12.
Mean = querer dizer,
significar
13.
Increasing = aumentando
14.
the biggest = o maior
15.
user = usuário
16.
still = ainda
17.
depends largely on oil
= depende amplamente do petróleo
18.
chairman = presidente
19.
fueling stations =
postos de abastecimento
20.
might help = pode
ajudar
21.
is not likely to happen
= não é provavel de acontecer
22.
until = até
23.
supports the creation =
apoiar a criação
24.
far more = muito mais
25.
nationwide = de ambito
nacional
26.
trucks = Caminhões
27.
costly = caro
28.
That is why = é porisso
que
29.
any change = qualquer
mudança
30.
start with = começar
com
31.
family-sized = tamanho família
32.
would cost too much =
custariam demais
33.
it would be wise =
seria sábio
34.
suggest = sugerir
35.
liquefied = liquefeito
36.
as a way = como uma forma
37.
expand their business =
expandirem seus negócios
38.
such exports = tais
exportações
39.
cut = cortar
40.
trade deficit = deficit
commercial
41.
Yet = porém
42.
Only = somente
43.
small effect on the
price = pequeno efeito sobre o preço
44.
most = a maioria
45.
learn = descobrir,
saber
46.
own = próprio (a)
47.
a way to fight poverty
= uma forma de combater a miséria
48.
resources = recursos
49.
can be used = pode ser
usado
50.
generate electricity =
gerar eletricidade
