Natural Gas, Pollution, and Our Environment

In 2011, the United States produced 8.5 million cubic feet of natural gas, a value of nearly $36 billion, from shale gas alone. As a result, the U.S. is now the world’s top manufacturer of natural gas. Imported gases compose merely 8 percent of total natural gas consumption in the United States. Since America does not rely on imported gas, the United States has balanced it trade as the U.S. domestic supply has grown to meet its demand. Business magnate T. Boone Pickens stated, “Natural gas is the best transportation fuel. It is better than gasoline or diesel. It is cleaner, it is cheaper, and it is domestic. Natural gas is 97% domestic fuel.”

The natural gas industry is here to stay and we will be a better nation because of it. Many of the issues brought up against natural gas fracturing are often times inflated by people with misguided views of the industry, many of whom probably use natural gas daily. The benefits far outweigh the negative issues that are being blown out of proportion by lobbyists and environmental groups. With any major industry there are going to be side effects that need attention to ensure proper regulation. One would be hard pressed to find a major industry throughout history that required zero regulation to ensure safety. As long as the research continues into finding even better methods to produce natural gas the sky is the limit. A cleaner and more efficient energy source lies in the ground right here in our country. It provides energy and jobs for the people of our nation and does not require us to spend more money overseas where enough has been spent

While oil and natural gas are fossil fuels that release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, these energy sources are cleaner than coal, which is on the decline as fracking expands. Indeed, coal production fell thirteen percent from 2007 to 2012, as did nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide production. Moreover, pipeline transportation of oil and natural gas is significantly safer than traditional freight methods, which have devastated many communities around the world and cost millions of dollars.

Natural gas has supplied energy to humanity since the 19th century, it offers great jobs, and is more affordable than other energy sources. Without fossil fuels/natural gas it would harder and more expensive to have everyday energy. With fracking being a big part in today’s world, people still wonder if the chemicals used are really dangerous and if there is another way to make them more earth

W hy does everyone care so much about natural gas? Why is it such an essential part of modern culture? Sure, it's an exciting and up and coming technology, which is fuel for the technological generation that we've grown up in, but we need to take a closer look to see the methods and impacts that could affect generations after us.

Natural gas is a popular option in U.S. homes. It's typically cheaper than electric, is considered environmentally friendly and is more efficient. However, natural gas does require caution and observation due to its potential for explosion, fire and suffocation. When natural gas using appliances and gas lines are maintained, there is little to worry about. However, gas line repair in Sugar Land and gas line installation should only be provided by a licensed, experienced professional. Benjamin Franklin plumbers in Sugar Land can provide the expertise required for gas line service.

In every other category, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and overall particles it's cleaner. Another plus is oil and coal both release mercury but natural gas does not. Smog and overall air quality is an increasing issue especially in large cities such as columbus. Smog is apart of the ground level of the ozone. It's a chemical reaction of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, other harmful organic compounds, and heat from sunlight. However unlike coal Natural gas has a low carbon monoxide and unlike oil it has a low nitrogen oxide level, As a result of this it contributes little to smog and can be even used to combat smog in metropolitan areas. Acid is another pressing environmental issue. Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water vapor and other chemicals in the presence of sunlight to form various acidic compounds in the air. Natural gas emits virtually no sulfur dioxide so it has almost no threat of acid rain. However, fracking wells release methane gas. This is a problem because if the methane gas isn’t burned of is is 25 times stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Another pro and a con is cost. The process of hydraulic fracking is not cost efficient. This is part of the reason why natural gas is more expensive. However, the fracking industry creates jobs for ohio and the usa as a whole. So far 340,000

Majority of the data available online is either too biased or not peer reviewed and hence misleading to the readers. Natural gas is a very valuable resource and can be combined with engineering innovations to vastly improve human life. For instance, natural gas can help enhance energy efficiency by making the methane and ethane conversion process more effectual and economic. Also, natural gas can be used to generate hybrid high-temperature fluids for cleaner sources of energy such as solar thermal as well as natural gas powered systems for effective cooling and heating applications.3 In this age of technology, it is extremely important to discover ways to augment the potential of natural gas while taking the environmental implications into consideration. Sustainable ways should be developed to generate cleaner and more efficient energy while still embracing the economics benefits of the industry. While considering economic benefits of the hydraulic fracturing industry, it is also of utmost importance to consider those who are residing in areas of current or future shale gas operations for detrimental effects to their health and

Natural gas emits over 25% less carbon dioxide than oil and over 40% less than coal, It is also cheaper to use than oil and gasoline. Furthermore, natural gas produces 60% to 90% less smog-inducing pollutants than oil, gas and coal, consequently, acid rain will be less frequent and less damage is done to the ozone layer. Natural gas is also less flammable than gasoline, making it safer when transported or stored (Stephenson (2010) (page 55-56)).

With the supply of fossil fuels steadily declining, gas and oil is becoming harder to harvest which means it is getting more expensive. Fossil fuels take millions of years to be naturally produced, yet each person burns gallons of gas per day (Maehlum par. 5). Though fossil fuels are produced naturally, when burned they release nitrogen oxides gases into the atmosphere, which contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain. According to the EPA, major sources of these nitrogen oxide emissions come from cars and trucks, coal-fire powered plants, large industrial operations, and ships and airplanes (EPA par 3). By reducing the number of gas powered cars on the road, we can reduce the amount of harmful chemicals we are releasing into our atmosphere.

The myth on how natural gas is a better source of energy is not true. By this point there’s that question in your head: if hydraulic fracturing is so bad…then why hasn’t it been stopped? There are many answers to that question, one is because it has been said that hydraulic fracturing provides people with jobs, and our economy will be better. Another is because even after all the evidence, gas companies refuse to take responsibility for their actions, using the excuse that it is not their fault. Whether we like it or not people need the money that fracking is producing and some are willing to take the risk and give fracking companies the right to their land and the resources for money to help pay for their daily needs and to help provide for their family. There are people out there, people who realize the harmful effects that fracking can cause, and these people are the one who are fighting for the purity and future of

Fracking is considered one of the most controversial methods of obtaining Earth’s natural gases. It is also known as hydraulic fracturing, which is drilling and introducing fluid (mostly water) into the ground to get certain rocks to produce natural gases. Fracking could cause devastating effects to the environment. According to the article “Hydraulic Fracturing 101” on the web-site earthworks.com, fracking can not only use up a lot of water, but it can also contaminate groundwater. Two to ten million gallons of water can be used to fracture a single well. Also the water used to fracture has many additives, such as hydrochloric acid, that can prove deadly to those who come in contact with them. In “Hydraulic Fracturing 101” it stated that

The importance of natural gas is to replace the role of oil in the economy. Natural gas is good for the US because it can produce natural gas domestically. It has plenty of energy for use in people’s homes and in industry. It will help the US economy cope with the depletion of peak oil production. Crude oil is nearly three times as expensive as Natural gas. (Pipeline, 2009-2013)

The transport sector is one of the main global consumers of fossil fuel related energy in the world. Unfortunately fossil fuel is non-renewable source of energy and the production of oil has been fluctuating in the recent past. At the same time, combustion of petroleum related fuel release greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that destroy the ozone layer and result to further environmental degradation. Therefore to work

With the carbon emission regulations recently introduced by US government, natural gas is the most likely substitution to coal for electricity generation for years to come. Latest price reductions made natural gas from a cost perspective much more attractive than coal.