What major fossil fuel has recently benefited from the increased construction of pipelines in the U.S.?

The correct answer is natural gas, which has seen significant benefits from the increased construction of pipelines in the U.S. Natural gas is often transported from production areas to consumption centers via pipelines, and the expansion of pipeline infrastructure has enabled a greater distribution of this resource. As these pipelines enhance connectivity between areas with abundant natural gas and those in need of energy, they facilitate the growth of natural gas usage in electricity generation, heating, and industrial applications.

The expansion of pipeline networks has also contributed to the reduction of flaring and methane emissions, as it allows for more efficient utilization of extracted gas rather than wasting it. This has made natural gas a more attractive energy source compared to alternatives, leading to its increased role in the U.S. energy landscape.

In contrast, coal has been declining in use due to environmental concerns and the rise of cleaner energy sources, and nuclear energy, while significant, does not rely on fossil fuel pipelines for its operation. Oil, though still important, has not experienced the same level of infrastructure expansion specifically for pipeline distributions in recent years as natural gas has. This makes natural gas the major fossil fuel that has benefited most from the increased construction of pipelines.