Dear Berkeley,
In case, by any chance, you have any interest in facts, instead of emotion and ideology, here are some facts about natural gas:
* Natural gas is derived from organic material buried in the Earth millions of years ago. It is a *natural* source of energy.
* Natural gas produces less than half the CO2 emissions of coal when burned and far fewer other particulates and emissions. When burned to heat homes or for industrial uses, it releases 25-30% less CO2 than oil and 40-50% less than coal in electricity production.
* By replacing coal with gas and renewables in the power sector, the UK has reduced its CO2 emissions to the levels of the Victorian era.
* The exhaust emissions of natural gas vehicles, when compared to those of gasoline and diesel vehicles, offer reductions of common urban pollutants:
* Burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of nearly all types of air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) than burning coal or petroleum products to produce an equal amount of energy. About 117 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced per million British thermal units (MMBtu) equivalent of natural gas compared with more than 200 pounds of CO2 per MMBtu of coal and more than 160 pounds per MMBtu of distillate fuel oil. The clean burning properties of natural gas have contributed to increased natural gas use for electricity generation and as a transportation fuel for fleet vehicles in the United States.
Now let's debunk some myths floating around Liberal Land:
1. Natural gas is explosive.
FALSE. Natural gas doesn’t explode. It will ignite, but only when there is a source of ignition. This can occur only under two simultaneous circumstances: the gas must be present in a concentration of 5 to 15 percent relative to the air, and the gas must come in contact with an ignition source that is 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
2. Natural gas is toxic.
FALSE. Natural gas is non-toxic and cannot cause you to become sick, unless the gas is in such high concentrations that you cannot get enough oxygen to breathe.
3. Natural gas is heavier than air.
FALSE. When natural gas escapes, it rises and dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere. Other gases, such as propane, are heavier than air, causing them to “pool” on the ground (similar to spilled gasoline).
4. Natural gas is bad for the environment.
FALSE. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning of all the fossil fuels, especially when it is used directly for space and water heating, rather than as fuel to generate electricity.
5. Natural gas pipelines are dangerous.
FALSE. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that on average, 50,000 people die in car accidents in the United States each year, while 22 die from natural gas distribution and transmission pipeline-related accidents. State and federal pipeline safety regulations are tougher now than ever, and today’s pipelines are constructed of better materials and better technology than ever. Among all pipelines, natural gas pipelines have the best safety record.
6. Natural gas reserves are shrinking.
FALSE. Geologists and industry experts today say there are 50-60 years of proven natural gas reserves, and additional reserves are being discovered each year.
7. Natural gas stinks!
FALSE. Natural gas has no odor. As a safety precaution, your natural gas utility adds a distinctive odorant called mercaptan so that if natural gas escapes, it can be detected.
Sources:
Seven Myths About Natural Gas | Santanna Energy Services
Natural Gas and the Environment - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration
15 amazing facts about natural gas! - 15 amazing facts about natural gas! - equinor.com
Natural Gas Facts
Cleaner Energy | American Gas Association
Natural Gas: America's Abundant, Clean Energy
In case, by any chance, you have any interest in facts, instead of emotion and ideology, here are some facts about natural gas:
* Natural gas is derived from organic material buried in the Earth millions of years ago. It is a *natural* source of energy.
* Natural gas produces less than half the CO2 emissions of coal when burned and far fewer other particulates and emissions. When burned to heat homes or for industrial uses, it releases 25-30% less CO2 than oil and 40-50% less than coal in electricity production.
* By replacing coal with gas and renewables in the power sector, the UK has reduced its CO2 emissions to the levels of the Victorian era.
* The exhaust emissions of natural gas vehicles, when compared to those of gasoline and diesel vehicles, offer reductions of common urban pollutants:
- Carbon monoxide (CO): 70 to 90% reduction
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx): 75 to 95% reduction
- Non-methane organic gas (NMOG): 50 to 75% reduction
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): 20 to 30% reduction
* Burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of nearly all types of air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) than burning coal or petroleum products to produce an equal amount of energy. About 117 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced per million British thermal units (MMBtu) equivalent of natural gas compared with more than 200 pounds of CO2 per MMBtu of coal and more than 160 pounds per MMBtu of distillate fuel oil. The clean burning properties of natural gas have contributed to increased natural gas use for electricity generation and as a transportation fuel for fleet vehicles in the United States.
Now let's debunk some myths floating around Liberal Land:
1. Natural gas is explosive.
FALSE. Natural gas doesn’t explode. It will ignite, but only when there is a source of ignition. This can occur only under two simultaneous circumstances: the gas must be present in a concentration of 5 to 15 percent relative to the air, and the gas must come in contact with an ignition source that is 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
2. Natural gas is toxic.
FALSE. Natural gas is non-toxic and cannot cause you to become sick, unless the gas is in such high concentrations that you cannot get enough oxygen to breathe.
3. Natural gas is heavier than air.
FALSE. When natural gas escapes, it rises and dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere. Other gases, such as propane, are heavier than air, causing them to “pool” on the ground (similar to spilled gasoline).
4. Natural gas is bad for the environment.
FALSE. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning of all the fossil fuels, especially when it is used directly for space and water heating, rather than as fuel to generate electricity.
5. Natural gas pipelines are dangerous.
FALSE. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that on average, 50,000 people die in car accidents in the United States each year, while 22 die from natural gas distribution and transmission pipeline-related accidents. State and federal pipeline safety regulations are tougher now than ever, and today’s pipelines are constructed of better materials and better technology than ever. Among all pipelines, natural gas pipelines have the best safety record.
6. Natural gas reserves are shrinking.
FALSE. Geologists and industry experts today say there are 50-60 years of proven natural gas reserves, and additional reserves are being discovered each year.
7. Natural gas stinks!
FALSE. Natural gas has no odor. As a safety precaution, your natural gas utility adds a distinctive odorant called mercaptan so that if natural gas escapes, it can be detected.
Sources:
Seven Myths About Natural Gas | Santanna Energy Services
Natural Gas and the Environment - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration
15 amazing facts about natural gas! - 15 amazing facts about natural gas! - equinor.com
Natural Gas Facts
Cleaner Energy | American Gas Association
Natural Gas: America's Abundant, Clean Energy
