The road to a clean energy future will be paved by natural gas

What is natural gas and why is it important?

One of the most prominent energy sources used to generate electricity, warm homes and cook meals. It started from the natural remains of tiny marine plants and animals buried below the earth’s surface and ocean floors millions of years ago. Intense pressure and heat changed some of this material into natural gas.

It’s America’s leading source of electricity generation.

It produces 45% less CO2 emissions than coal, providing a critical backup to clean energy sources.

It’s up to 4x cheaper to generate heat with natural gas than electricity.

Why is natural gas important to my future?

72 million:
U.S. customers rely on it for power, meaning it has a huge impact.

45%:
less CO2 released than burning coal.

20 billion trees:
Switching U.S. coal plants to natural gas would remove the same amount of CO2.

80% fewer gas-powered cars:
The climate impact of converting all coal power plants to natural gas.

Where does America’s electricity come from? You may be surprised!

Source: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3

How does natural gas become electricity?

Natural gas is sourced from the earth and starts the journey to heat homes, cook food and power lives.

Natural gas either goes to a power plant where it is turned into electricity or to local gas utilities that deliver it to homes for heating, cooking and hot water.

This electricity is sent through power lines for everyday use.

Fun facts about natural gas

It’s lighter than air.

It was first discovered in the Middle East between 6000 and 2000 BCE, when lightning strikes ignited natural gas seeping from the ground.

More than 72 million Americans across 66 million households rely on natural gas every day.

It’s naturally odorless. Utility companies use an additive to make it smell like rotten eggs. This doesn’t affect performance but makes it easier to pinpoint leaks.

Liquified natural gas (LNG) is made when natural gas is cooled to a temperature of -260F/-162C. This reduces the volume by 615x.

The first natural gas well was drilled in 1859, by Colonel Edwin Drake. His well was only 69’ deep, while modern wells can reach a depth of 30,000’.

Natural gas has been — and continues to be — the most significant contributor to reducing carbon emissions in the U.S.