Natural Gas: Air Pollution Friend Or Foe?

Natural gas is a fossil fuel and a major contributor to climate change. It is responsible for air pollution through its combustion, which produces nitrogen oxides, precursors to smog, and small amounts of sulfur, mercury, and particulates. Natural gas infrastructure, such as well drilling and pipelines, can also cause air pollution and disturb people, wildlife, and water resources. Leaks during the extraction, production, and transportation of natural gas release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, impacting the climate. The combustion of natural gas in stoves can expose people to respiratory disease-triggering pollutants.

Natural gas leaks during exploration and drilling

Natural gas exploration and drilling can cause air pollution in several ways. Firstly, during the exploration stage, geologists may disturb vegetation and soil with their vehicles as they search for natural gas deposits on land. This disturbance can release dirt, minerals, and other harmful pollutants into nearby water sources and disrupt local ecosystems.

The drilling process itself also carries risks of air pollution. Drilling a natural gas well typically requires clearing and levelling an area around the well site, which can result in the release of pollutants and the destruction of natural habitats. Additionally, well drilling activities produce air pollution through the use of engines and compressors, which emit harmful gases and noise. The combustion of natural gas during drilling produces nitrogen oxides (NOx), precursors to smog, and small amounts of sulfur, mercury, and particulates. Unconventional gas development can further impact local and regional air quality, with studies showing increased concentrations of hazardous air pollutants in drilling areas.

Furthermore, natural gas leaks are a significant concern during exploration and drilling. Leaks can occur at any stage, including from wells, pipelines, storage tanks, and processing plants. These leaks release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Abandoned wells are a particular problem, with millions of abandoned oil and natural gas wells worldwide leaking methane and other contaminants. The improper handling of hydraulic fracturing fluids and wastewater during drilling can also lead to leaks and spills, contaminating surrounding areas and water sources.

To address these issues, regulations and industry standards have been implemented to ensure the safe transportation, storage, distribution, and consumption of natural gas. Advanced technologies, such as satellites and remote sensing devices, are also being utilized to reduce the environmental impact of exploration and drilling. While natural gas may burn cleaner than other fossil fuels, its production and use still contribute to air pollution and climate change, underscoring the need for strict adherence to safety measures and the development of more sustainable energy sources.

Methane leaks from stoves

Natural gas is a fossil fuel and a major contributor to climate change. It emits pollution at every stage of its journey, from the well, during transportation, power plants, and homes. The combustion of natural gas produces nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursors to smog, and small amounts of sulfur, mercury, and particulates.

The presence of leaks was consistent across different stove brands, ages, and models. Researchers estimated that up to 1.3% of the gas used in a stove leaks into the atmosphere, contributing to the overall methane emissions from the gas industry. Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and it has a significantly higher warming effect over a 20-year period. It also contributes to ground-level ozone pollution, which can cause breathing problems and other health issues.

The issue of methane leaks from stoves has sparked a debate about electrifying homes and switching to electric stoves. Climate activists advocate for this change as part of a broader campaign to stop using natural gas in buildings. However, replacing gas stoves with electric ones may not be a feasible option for everyone, especially renters or those with financial constraints.

To address the methane leakage issue, the gas utility industry is exploring cleaner alternatives, such as "renewable natural gas" from agriculture and hydrogen produced with renewable energy. Additionally, utilities are working on reducing emissions by replacing older pipes that leak and advocating for laws that prevent cities from banning gas hookups in new buildings.

Natural gas flaring

Natural gas is a fossil fuel and a major contributor to climate change. It emits pollution at every stage of its journey, from the well to homes and businesses. Natural gas flaring, in particular, has been a longstanding problem for the oil industry. Flaring is the process of burning natural gas in a flare stack, flare boom, ground flare, or flare pit.

In 2019, around 150 billion cubic meters of natural gas was flared globally, a figure that has been increasing in recent years. Flaring occurs when there is no productive outlet for the natural gas, due to poor planning, a lack of infrastructure, or a lack of incentive. This "associated gas" is often flared or vented into the atmosphere. Flaring produces CO2, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other compounds, depending on the chemical composition of the gas and the efficiency of the flare. While flaring releases CO2, it is argued to be safer than releasing natural gas into the air, as it reduces the emission of methane, a more potent greenhouse gas.

However, the efficiency of flares is uncertain, especially in windy conditions or when poorly maintained. Some studies have found that a significant portion of flares are unlit or malfunctioning, resulting in the venting of methane. The waste produced by flaring is a significant source of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. Reducing flaring emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change.

The oil and gas industry's practice of flaring has disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities, particularly low-income communities and communities of color. These communities are often located near high-polluting processing plants, exposing them to elevated levels of air pollutants. The health effects of air pollution from natural gas development include respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

To address the environmental and health impacts of natural gas flaring, advancements in satellite monitoring and geo-spatial analysis have been employed. These technologies have revealed that many flares are located within close proximity to existing natural gas pipelines, contradicting the claim that oil extraction is far from gas infrastructure. By connecting flares to existing gas networks or utilizing gas onsite, the amount of flaring can be reduced.

Natural gas infrastructure and vulnerable communities

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that emits pollution and is a contributor to climate change. The combustion of natural gas produces nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursors to smog, and small amounts of sulfur, mercury, and particulates. The production and use of natural gas can have significant environmental impacts.

The infrastructure and vulnerable communities aspect is a pressing issue. Researchers have found that environmental hazards, such as waste treatment plants and landfills, are often located in vulnerable communities. The oil and gas industry is no exception, with hazards from upstream and downstream activities disproportionately impacting poor areas and communities of color. This is evident in California, where oil and gas wells are more common in non-white neighborhoods, and in Texas, where the practice of burning off excess natural gas affects Hispanic communities.

In Louisiana, an analysis revealed that Native American, Asian, and Hispanic communities near the coastal zone have faced increased exposure to risks from oil and gas facilities over the past 30 years. This includes refineries, compressor stations, and chemical processing plants. The pipeline network in the US further exacerbates these issues, with a positive correlation between pipeline density and social vulnerability at the county level. Counties with higher social vulnerability tend to have significantly higher pipeline densities, indicating an inequitable distribution of environmental and health burdens.

The NRDC's Dirty Energy Project director, Bobby McEnaney, states that the industry deliberately chooses drilling locations, often near low-income people and people of color. This is supported by data showing that communities of color disproportionately inhale polluted air and suffer first when drinking water monitoring is inadequate.

The risks associated with natural gas infrastructure in vulnerable communities are not limited to environmental and health hazards but also include safety concerns. Between 2001 and 2020, the Department of Transportation recorded 36 deaths and 164 injuries linked to natural gas pipelines, with over $2.5 billion in accident-related costs.

Natural gas vs. carbon-free energy sources

Natural gas is a fossil fuel and a major contributor to climate change. It emits pollution at every stage of its journey, from extraction to transportation and combustion. The combustion of natural gas produces nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursors to smog, and small amounts of sulfur, mercury, and particulates. It also produces large volumes of contaminated water, which can pollute land and water bodies if not properly handled, stored, and treated. Unconventional gas development, such as hydraulic fracturing, can also increase erosion, sedimentation, and the risk of aquatic contamination from chemical spills.

In comparison, carbon-free energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, do not produce greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants associated with natural gas extraction and combustion. These renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important and prevalent, especially in places with abundant sunshine and wind resources. The rapid decrease in the cost of solar and wind technologies makes them an even more attractive alternative to natural gas.

While natural gas is often seen as a cleaner alternative to coal or oil, this is not always the case. Natural gas flaring, for example, produces CO2, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the methane released during natural gas leaks is a potent greenhouse gas, driving climate change.

The environmental and social justice impacts of natural gas extraction and infrastructure also cannot be overlooked. The construction of natural gas wells, pipelines, and access roads can disturb vegetation, soil, and water resources, impacting local ecosystems and communities. The industry has also been criticized for deliberately choosing to drill and build high-polluting processing plants near low-income communities and communities of color, exacerbating existing inequalities and health risks.

Carbon-free energy sources offer a more sustainable and equitable approach to meeting energy demands. While a complete transition to renewable energy may take time due to technological limitations and the need for energy storage solutions, investing in carbon-free sources is crucial to mitigating climate change and reducing air pollution, especially in vulnerable communities.

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