The Responsible Choice

Natural Gas is the responsible choice.

Life in the twenty-first century presents new global realities. Fortunately, as we've grown accustomed to many of life's advancements, we've also developed a sense of social and environmental responsibility. We see it more and more everyday. People are choosing earth-friendly vacations, buying organic foods and recycling. They're also turning to Natural Gas for their energy needs.

Hard working. Less waste.

Natural Gas has a high energy density, meaning its unique, natural properties allow it to work harder and more efficiently with less waste. It's the cleanest burning fossil fuel, with 45 % less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than electricity generated from coal and 30 % less than fuel oil. Consider this: if you were to convert an electric water heater to a Natural Gas water heater, you would save the same amount of CO2 emissions in one year as recycling 1.7 tons of waste.

And there's more. According to the Department of Energy, 90% of the Natural Gas delivered directly to your home or business is useful energy. Electricity, on the other hand, loses more than two-thirds of its usable energy in its generation and transmission from the producer to your home or business. So how much of the source energy makes it to the end user, i.e. what is the energy supply efficiency? Starting at the source, extraction, processing and transportation losses account for about 8% reduction for both electricity and natural gas. Converting coal to electricity accounts for an additional 60+%. Natural gas, however, is used directly at the home or business, and has no such conversion losses. The product that enters the pipeline at the front end is the same product that comes out the back end at your home or business. The result is energy supply efficiency greater than 90% for natural gas and energy supply efficiency for electricity at less than 30% depending, on the method of generation.

Currently, alternative and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, meet only 6% of our nation's energy needs. While a positive step for the environment, building the infrastructure to make renewables a reality will take years. But, using Natural Gas for everyday needs like cooking, space and water heating is something you can do right now that will have an immediate positive environmental impact.

Domestically produced.

In addition to the actual environmental benefits of lower emissions, plus high-energy efficiency, more than 80 % of the Natural Gas used in the U.S. is domestically produced. Not only does this reduce the United States' dependency on foreign oil produced in the more volatile regions of the world, but it employs hundreds of thousands of Americans. And, because the infrastructure that delivers Natural Gas into our homes is already established, Natural Gas is ready to be used as fuel for homes and businesses.

Smaller carbon footprint.

Using Natural Gas takes a big bite out of your home's carbon emissions. Your home is the number one place where most people can begin to reduce their carbon footprint. While most of the homes we live in require electricity, for most appliances such as stoves, water and space heaters, clothes dryers and fireplaces, homeowners do have a better and more responsible energy choice. The carbon footprint for a home using Natural Gas appliances instead of electric appliances is up to 46 percent smaller. Electric water heaters for example, emit 2.5 times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions as Natural Gas water heaters. And, Natural Gas furnaces have a significantly lower carbon footprint than electric heat pumps, electric baseboard heat or electric furnaces. Natural Gas radiant heat and fireplaces can also improve air quality in a home by cutting down on dust and allergens.

Clean Air Act approved.

When you consider all the benefits of Natural Gas, it's no wonder the Energy Policy Acts of 1992 and 2005, and the Clean Air Act Amendment of 2005, approved clean-burning, Natural Gas as an alternative fuel.

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