Natural gas is cleaner, cheaper, and quieter than oil and coal and produces less greenhouse gas. Natural gas also emits fewer particulate emissions. So, could natural gas be a better alternative to gasoline? Let's take a look.
The increasing use of natural gas as a fuel has several benefits, but it also has some environmental issues. Compared to coal and oil, natural gas produces half the carbon dioxide (CO2) and emits 30 percent fewer pollutants per unit of energy. Moreover, natural gas consumption is steadily increasing in the U.S., with annual consumption now topping nine trillion cubic feet. Its use in electricity generation has increased by 60 percent since 2005, and in the industrial sector by 28 percent. As a result, natural gas is becoming the largest source of electricity generation in the U.S., and it has helped keep power sector emissions down to levels last seen in the mid-80s.
Natural gas produces less carbon dioxide after combustion than coal and oil. In comparison, coal and petroleum emit between 40 and 50 percent more CO2, making them more environmentally harmful. Additionally, natural gas doesn't produce ash particles, which contribute to air pollution.
While many people are unaware, natural gas is a cleaner, cheaper alternative to coal. A recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that natural gas emits about 43% less carbon dioxide per unit of energy than coal. However, natural gas is still a fossil fuel and produces carbon dioxide and methane emissions. These gases contribute to global warming and are precursors to smog.
Natural gas has many advantages over coal. It emits less pollution and produces half the amount of CO2. As a result, it has been responsible for dramatic reductions in the use of coal in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, since 2007, the country has reduced CO2 emissions by 15%. The reduction is due in part to increased energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Natural gas can provide energy to industries in many ways. It is used to generate electricity on-site and for process heat. This energy processes food melts glass, and preheats metals and various dry products. In addition, it is used as feedstock to produce chemicals, fertilizers, and plastics.
In the United States, natural gas production is booming. President Obama welcomed using natural gas in his State of the Union Address in 2014. According to him, natural gas can help reduce the carbon pollution that contributes to climate change. However, the fuel produces large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas. It can trap 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide.
Natural gas is well known to be cleaner than gasoline and other fossil fuels. It's so much cleaner that some call it "clean energy." While calling it "clean" is an overstatement, natural gas does produce fewer carbon dioxide and air pollutants when burned than either gasoline or diesel. It's also much more efficient at generating electricity than other fossil fuels, as natural gas is becoming more widely used as a transportation fuel and a source of electricity.
Proponents of natural gas have long promoted it as a "green" alternative to gasoline and coal. While it is true that natural gas is more efficient and clean than other forms of energy, a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration has found that natural gas emissions are at the highest levels on record. Unfortunately, continued reliance on natural gas is insufficient for the climate.
Compared to gasoline, natural gas is quieter and safer to transport. The fuel is also piped directly into the generator during use, reducing the risk of spills and fires. It is also more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, natural gas generators require little maintenance and are suited for long-term use.
A recent report found that natural gas pickup trucks can withstand gunshots and a stick of dynamite next to the gas tank. The tanks of natural gas pickups were subjected to rigorous testing and are now far more substantial than gasoline tanks. According to a Ford alternative fuel program specialist, the natural gas tank is the most sturdy part of the vehicle. This fuel can also make vehicles with limited range and sluggish acceleration much more comfortable.
