Natural Gas: Clean Energy Or Polluting Fossil Fuel?

Natural gas is often touted as a clean energy source and a bridge to a cleaner energy system. However, it is still a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change and pollutes the air and water. The burning of natural gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing CO2 levels, trapping heat, and contributing to global warming. Methane leaks during extraction, production, and transportation also contribute significantly to climate change. While natural gas is cleaner-burning than other fossil fuels like coal, it is still a significant source of pollution and a finite resource.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change

Natural gas is often marketed as a clean energy source, but it is a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change. While it is cleaner-burning than other fossil fuels, it still emits carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane when burned. CO2 is released during combustion, the process used to generate electricity, while methane is leaked in large quantities during the extraction, production, and transportation of natural gas. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential more than 25 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we need to reach net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century to limit global warming to 1.5-2°C, as set out in the Paris Agreement in 2015. This means that even though natural gas emits less CO2 than other fossil fuels, its continued use will still contribute to climate change.

Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules, mostly methane, and is used to power about 30% of the energy demand in the United States. There are two types of natural gas: conventional and renewable. Conventional natural gas, which accounts for most of its use, is a fossil fuel extracted from deposits in the earth, just like oil and coal. Renewable natural gas, on the other hand, is formed through the anaerobic digestion of landfill waste and livestock manure, providing a continual renewable supply.

The burning of natural gas releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), in addition to CO2 and methane. These emissions can have significant health impacts, including respiratory issues such as asthma, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, which can occasionally result in hospitalization. The extraction and handling of natural gas can also lead to water pollution, as large volumes of water are used in the fracking process, and the disposal of wastewater can contaminate groundwater.

The debate around natural gas centres on its comparison to other energy sources. While natural gas has been credited for a significant drop in America's climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions as it replaced coal-fired power plants, it is now compared to carbon-free energy sources like wind and solar. The climate benefits of natural gas over other fossil fuels have also been questioned due to the incidental releases or "leaks" of methane during its extraction, production, and transportation. Studies suggest that these methane leaks are likely undercounted and can erase the climate benefits of using natural gas over coal.

Despite being a fossil fuel, natural gas is considered the most environmentally friendly in its class. It emits about half as much carbon dioxide as coal when producing the same amount of energy. However, natural gas production does not solve the climate crisis, and investing in its infrastructure may delay the adoption of carbon-free energy sources. While natural gas is a "lesser evil" option compared to other fossil fuels, it is still a contributing factor to climate change, and improvements to reduce methane leaks are necessary to mitigate its impact.

Natural gas leaks release methane, a potent greenhouse gas

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is composed primarily of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. While natural gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels like coal and oil, emitting about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2), it is still a significant contributor to climate change. The extraction, production, and transportation of natural gas can result in incidental releases or "leaks" of methane, which greatly reduce or even eliminate its climate benefits.

Methane leaks from natural gas systems have been documented in North America and around the world. These leaks can be caused by equipment failures, faulty pipelines, or routine releases from vents and flares. The impact of these leaks is significant, as methane has more than doubled in concentration over the past 200 years and is responsible for nearly a third of the total warming the planet has experienced.

Satellites have become an effective tool for detecting and measuring large methane emissions, helping scientists uncover previously unknown releases. For example, a super-emitter event was detected by a European Space Agency satellite in the Gulf of Mexico, where an oil and gas platform discharged 40,000 tonnes of methane over 17 days in December 2021. This leak was likely caused by equipment malfunction and equated to 3% of Mexico's annual oil and gas emissions.

To address methane leaks, companies can take actions such as patching faulty pipelines, fixing equipment, and closing vents and flares that release methane. The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 is a voluntary initiative where companies commit to measuring and reporting their methane emissions, allowing them to identify and mitigate their most polluting sites. Over 100 countries have also joined the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to reduce collective methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

While natural gas has been touted as a "bridge" fuel to a cleaner energy system, the recent research highlights the need to transition to carbon-free energy sources like wind and solar. The climate benefits of natural gas have been questioned, and the focus should now be on reducing methane leaks and adopting more sustainable energy solutions.

Natural gas stoves expose people to harmful pollutants

Natural gas is often touted as an environmentally friendly "bridge" fuel to a cleaner energy system. Compared to other fossil fuels, it emits about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce the same amount of energy. However, burning natural gas also releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through leaks and incomplete combustion.

Natural gas stoves have been found to expose people to harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and benzene. NO2 is produced when natural gas is burned at high temperatures in the presence of nitrogen in the atmosphere. Long-term exposure to NO2 has been linked to respiratory problems and increased hospitalization rates. Stanford researchers found that cooking with gas stoves can raise indoor levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, above those found in secondhand smoke.

The impact of gas stove emissions on human health has been a concern for scientists for many years. Studies have shown that gas stoves emit pollutants that irritate human airways and can cause or worsen respiratory issues, particularly in children. The risk is even higher for vulnerable populations, such as children, and those living in smaller homes or minority communities.

While there are no federal standards or guidelines governing indoor pollution from gas stoves, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that indoor levels of pollutants can be significantly higher than outdoor levels. The EPA also regulates outdoor NO2 emissions, setting standards for safe exposure limits, but there are no similar standards for indoor exposure.

Given the health risks associated with gas stoves, some have called for their regulation or even a ban. Electrifying buildings and switching to electric appliances, including stoves, is presented as a rational direction for forward-looking health and climate policies.

Fracking for natural gas extraction pollutes water

Natural gas is often touted as an environmentally friendly "bridge" fuel to a cleaner energy system. Compared to other fossil fuels, it emits about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce the same amount of energy. However, natural gas is still a fossil fuel, and its production and use contribute to climate change.

One of the biggest threats of natural gas extraction is the process of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking". This technique involves blasting large quantities of water, chemicals, and sand into shale and other forms of impermeable rock at high pressures to crack the rock and release the gas and oil trapped within. While fracking has helped the United States become a global leader in natural gas and crude oil production, it has also been linked to water pollution and other environmental concerns.

Fracking uses a lot of water from local water reservoirs, and this process can result in the pollution of streams and groundwater. For example, in the Wind River Basin, a study found that the entire groundwater resource was contaminated with chemicals linked to hydraulic fracturing. Additionally, in Pavillion, Wyoming, residents complained about a bad taste and smell in their drinking water, and preliminary testing suggested the presence of toxic chemicals. While state regulators in Wyoming claimed that fracking had not contributed to pollution, the issue of contaminated drinking water in the state has persisted.

Furthermore, fracking can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the air and water. Methane leaks during the extraction, production, and transportation of natural gas can significantly reduce or eliminate the climate benefits of using natural gas over other fossil fuels. Studies have indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency may be underestimating methane leakage rates by 50 to 100%.

In conclusion, while natural gas may be a "lesser evil" compared to other fossil fuels in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, the process of fracking for natural gas extraction can pollute water sources and release methane, contributing to climate change. To protect our communities, environment, and climate, it is essential to address the risks associated with fracking and transition towards a truly clean and renewable energy economy.

Natural gas is marketed as a clean energy source but is still polluting

Natural gas is often marketed as a clean energy source and a bridge fuel between fossil fuels and renewable energy. However, it is still a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change and air and water pollution. While it is cleaner-burning compared to other fossil fuels like coal and liquid petroleum, it still emits carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane when burned. CO2 is released during combustion, the process used to generate electricity, while methane is leaked in large quantities during the extraction and transport of natural gas. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential more than 25 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Studies show that global methane emissions have spiked dramatically since 2002 due to the boom in natural gas extraction in the United States.

The burning of natural gas releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and other pollutants. These emissions can have significant health impacts, triggering asthma, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, and occasionally resulting in hospitalization. Over one-third of U.S. households, or more than 40 million homes, cook with natural gas, directly exposing them to these emissions. Hood use and ventilation can help reduce pollutant concentrations, but surveys show that home cooks only use hoods for kitchen ventilation 25-40% of the time.

The extraction of natural gas, particularly through hydraulic fracturing or fracking, can also pollute water sources. Fracking requires a significant amount of water, which is often disposed of by injecting it into Class II injection wells deep underground. This process has been linked to an increased risk of earthquakes and groundwater contamination. Additionally, the extraction and production of natural gas can result in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog. Exposure to ozone is associated with aggravated asthma, increased emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and premature death.

Furthermore, investing in natural gas infrastructure creates a financial incentive to continue using gas, potentially delaying the adoption of carbon-free energy sources. While natural gas may be a "lesser evil" option compared to other fossil fuels, it is not a solution to the climate crisis. To achieve the goal of net-zero carbon emissions and limit global warming as outlined in the Paris Agreement, we need to transition to truly renewable and carbon-free energy sources.

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