by Natural gas is a clean-burning fossil fuel that produces significantly less carbon emissions than coal or oil. It is extracted from underground using hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”
It can be used in power plants to generate electricity, in home heating systems, and as a vehicle fuel. Innovations in drilling and transport have made it more widely available.
It’s Cheaper
Natural gas is the cheapest compared to other energy production methods, including coal and oil. This is partly because it’s abundantly available and because the latest technology allows extraction processes such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling to be more cost-effective.
Although it’s a fossil fuel, when burned for energy, natural gas produces only half as much carbon dioxide and about one-tenth as many other air pollutants as gasoline. It’s a more efficient alternative to diesel and heavy fuel oil in trucks and a cleaner replacement for coal power plants where zero-emission sources can’t make up the entire generation capacity.
It can also supply town gas for heating and cooking or generate electricity near the source using combined heat and power systems. And when a gas-fired power plant is shut down, it takes less time to revert to a backup fuel source than a coal or oil plant. That makes it an excellent partner to renewables such as wind and solar, only available when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.
It’s Cleaner
When burned, natural gas does not release as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and produces far fewer pollutants than coal. The recent surge in the fracking industry has helped significantly reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generation and other fossil fuels.
In addition to its use in electrical power plants, natural gas is famous for home heating and cooking. It also makes for a clean and green alternative to electric heater pumps in office spaces.
Moreover, natural gas dissipates rapidly outdoors and can be stored in above-ground storage tanks rather than underground, eliminating the possibility of soil contamination and oil spills. Regarding safety, a natural gas leak can still threaten health and is flammable. Still, it is significantly less dangerous than the vapors produced by oil-based products like propane and gasoline.
Furthermore, new technologies allow natural gas transportation in supercooled liquefied form (LNG), making it a clean and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Using LNG as a vehicle fuel helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can help to speed up the shift to renewable energy sources.
It’s More Flexible
Natural gas is a versatile fuel that serves various energy needs. It can be burned to generate electricity, heat homes and commercial buildings, or power vehicles. It can also be used for industrial purposes, such as refining metals, food processing, and waste treatment.
Natural gas can be produced through traditional methods or via renewable resources. Renewable natural gas (RNG) is made by capturing methane from landfills and livestock operations and treating it with anaerobic digestion to remove odors and create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. It can be stored in tanks, or it can be compressed and liquefied for transportation as LNG.
Because of its versatility, many people turn to it as a replacement for gasoline. The price of gasoline spiked in recent years, while the price of natural gas has remained steady. Additionally, switching to natural gas for transportation reduces dependence on oil and can save trucking companies money. It can also keep manufacturing jobs instead of relocating overseas. In addition, it can be used in conjunction with solar and wind to provide a more diverse and clean energy portfolio.
It’s More Reliable
Natural gas is a reliable energy source and helps businesses stay competitive. As a result, manufacturing facilities that rely on cheap energy remain rather than closing down or moving abroad. This is a massive deal for the economy of our nation.
Because one of the advantages of natural gas is that it burns so cleanly, it produces fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases than other fossil fuels. This makes it an ideal transition fuel until renewables become a more significant part of the energy mix.
In addition, advances in drilling technology are unlocking more domestic resources. New transport technology enables the gas to be liquefied at ultra-low temperatures for easier shipping. Transportation companies can easily switch to low-cost, lower-emissions natural gas instead of diesel or gasoline.
The availability of affordable, stable natural gas is also helping public transit authorities avoid the budgetary issues that have plagued them in recent years. By switching to natural gas buses, these agencies can save money and keep their routes running.
It’s More Sustainable
Natural gas is a fossil fuel, but it’s much cleaner burning than coal. It also produces less carbon dioxide when burned and almost no particulate matter that contributes to ground-level smog.
It can be stored underground in depleted oil and gas wells, salt domes, or in tanks as liquefied natural gas (LNG), where it can be injected in times of low demand and extracted when the need arises. Storing it near end users allows for more sustainable energy production, reducing the need to transport it over long distances and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, natural gas can serve as a backup power source for renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This can help make them more viable and practical for widespread use, as they can be turned on when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. As such, it’s a more sustainable alternative until renewable energy becomes the dominant power source. Additionally, new technology allows the capture of CO2 from natural gas plants, significantly reducing their environmental impact.
