As a new administration takes shape in Washington, D.C. we enter a period of wait-and-see on a number of proposed policy changes that could effect our industry, our economy and our environment. The Colorado Plateau is breathtaking—but stepping off trail for a killer photo can be deadly for biocrust. Well drilling activities produce air pollution and may disturb people, wildlife, and water resources. The company is also planning to build new power plants that burn natural gas. The project injects the renewable natural gas into the Piedmont Natural Gas system, which transports it to Duke Energy’s Smith Energy Complex in Richmond County, where it … All rights reserved. Research from the National Bureau of … The Energy Department is committed to safe development of America’s natural gas resources. Ohio continues to invest in renewable energy, but both the state and private sector are still largely pushing natural gas as essential for economic growth and championing it as “clean energy.” But, as a 2019 study found, natural gas is not a cheap or clean energy source. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. (See related story: "New 'Flexible' Power Plants Sway to Keep Up with Renewables."). “Fleets are learning that RNG, together with natural gas engine technology, is a proven solution that can significantly decrease the impact of harmful emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Chad … How tiny Monaco became a giant in ocean conservation, Meat production leads to thousands of air quality-related deaths annually, ‘Megadrought’ persists in western U.S., as another extremely dry year develops, Antarctica’s ice could cross this scary threshold within 40 years. After 17 years, the cicada choruses are back, Oil company accused of ignoring community concerns about water, wildlife, Idaho law aims to kill up to 90 percent of state’s wolves, Rare footage shows endangered whales 'hugging', Sharks can navigate via Earth's magnetic field, study confirms for the first time. Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a provider of clean fuels for the transportation market, has secured multiple renewable natural gas (RNG) supply contracts. As the shale gas boom progresses in North America, and as other nations seek to develop their own gas reserves, communities around the world are engaged in fierce debates over whether to allow fracking and expand global trade of natural gas. Source: EIA. However, flaring is safer than releasing natural gas into the air and results in lower overall greenhouse gas emissions because CO2 is not as strong a greenhouse gas as methane. As of 2020, the majority of hydrogen (∼95%) is produced from fossil fuels by steam reforming of natural gas, partial oxidation of methane, and coal gasification. Drilling a natural gas well on land may require clearing and leveling an area around the well site. In some areas of the country, significant use of water for fracking may affect aquatic habitats and the availability of water for other uses. In addition to natural gas, fracking fluids and formation waters are returned to the surface. Promising early results suggest we may have a new tool in the battle against the pernicious mosquito-borne parasite. Clean Energy is in. But the appeal of a cleaner, abundant fossil fuel source cuts both ways. Hydrogen production is the family of industrial methods for generating hydrogen gas. Agriculture is a major source of air pollution, killing an estimated 17,900 people in the U.S. every year, according to a new study. "Shale gas is a great advantage to the U.S. in the short term, for the next few decades," said MIT economist Henry Jacoby, lead author of the study. Source: Bureau of Land Management (public domain). Burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of nearly all types of air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) than burning coal or petroleum products to produce an equal amount of energy. Unlike oil, about one-fourth of which is imported at present, virtually all of our natural gas comes from the United States. Can natural gas can be considered a lower-carbon "bridge" fuel, as U.S. President Barack Obama and many others have billed it, or is it simply a continuation of our dependence on fossil fuels? These little-known sites help families connect to Asian American history. ... Clean Energy Vs. Oil & Gas: The Biggest Lie Of 2020 ... For natural gas, it is more significant at about a third of demand. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), also known as biomethane, is often seen as the key to decarbonizing the natural gas system. If the history of environmental progress is any guide, then voluntary action alone will not be enough to clean up the natural gas mix. The oil and natural gas industry takes steps to prevent natural gas leaks. Natural gas and renewable energy are complementary resources, and they should remain critical partners in building our clean energy future. What does a COVID-19 outbreak mean for life at Everest’s base camp? Natural gas: a clean energy source with many uses A clean energy source As its name indicates, natural gas is not highly processed after extraction; at the start it is colourless and odourless. Short, timely articles with graphics on energy, facts, issues, and trends. Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. Clean energy is, to a large extent, in the eye of the beholder, but one thing is surely clear; natural gas is critical to any of it. Please be respectful of copyright. Natural gas is a fossil fuel, though the global warming emissions from its combustion are much lower than those from coal or oil. If mismanaged, hydraulic fracturing fluid—which may contain potentially hazardous chemicals—could be released through spills, leaks, faulty well construction, or other exposure pathways. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, hydraulic fracturing "...causes small earthquakes, but they are almost always too small to be a safety concern. ... Clean Energy Energy Efficiency ... A new Energy Department brochure compares the energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and ranges of the three proposed natural gas passenger vehicle configurations using analysis by Argonne National Laboratory. Sign up for email subcriptions to receive messages about specific EIA products. How much carbon dioxide is produced when different fuels are burned? ), But at the heart of these debates lies a broader question about where we should be focusing our efforts to meet energy demand. "But it is so attractive that it threatens other energy sources we ultimately will need." Producing natural gas with this technique has some effects on the environment: Because a natural gas leak could cause an explosion, strict government regulations and industry standards are in place to ensure the safe transportation, storage, distribution, and use of natural gas. Was Napoleon Bonaparte an enlightened leader or tyrant? Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2018, Table ES-2, April 2020, U.S. Energy Information Administration, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, Biofuels: Ethanol and Biomass-based diesel, Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). Namibians allege ReconAfrica disposed of wastewater unsafely, without permits, and ignored concerns about potential impact of oil drilling on water and wildlife. Chimpanzee moms are like us: They mourn, dote, and take 'me' time. It is “odorised”, though, for safety. Natural gas, seen as a cheap, clean-burning alternative to coal, is the top fuel source in the U.S. and in some other major developed economies. Tools to customize searches, view specific data sets, study detailed documentation, and access time-series data. International energy information, including overviews, rankings, data, and analyses. Experts have pieced it together. Thus it’s seen by some as a … Energy & Financial Markets: What Drives Crude Oil Prices? Exploration and reserves, storage, imports and exports, production, prices, sales. Natural gas may not be as "clean" an energy source as advertised. The bloody history of anti-Asian violence in the West, Survivors recall the terror of the first F5 tornado. Natural gas is also used to generate 33% of our electricity. click to enlarge (Bloomberg) --The European Union is poised to delay a … Burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of nearly all types of air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) than burning coal or petroleum products to produce an equal amount of energy. website builders . Natural gas has many qualities that make it an efficient, relatively clean burning, and economical energy source. These wastewaters are frequently disposed of by injection into deep wells. Clean Energy (CLNE) enters into an agreement to supply renewable natural gas to Amazon. Renewable natural gas. Come test out some of the products still in development and let us know what you think! Maps by energy source and topic, includes forecast maps. 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