Kevin Daly of Goldman Sachs thinks there are modest grounds for optimism: the sectors that shrank most this time, such as oil and gas, are notoriously volatile, whereas those that grew, such as services, may be seeing sustainable improvement.
Preventing leaks also cuts back on other air pollutants associated with gas production and use, including such volatile organic compounds as ethane and butane.
In fact, the Committee on Climate Change warns that relying heavily on gas for future electricity supplies would leave households vulnerable to higher bills in the long run as the price of gas on the international market is volatile.
Retail sales data excludes volatile categories like autos, gas and building materials and includes discretionary purchases such as electronics, furniture and apparel.
But will less-volatile gas prices give consumers the itch to jump back into big cars and trucks with the same vigor as they did back in the early 2000s?