Natural Gas

Natural gas has some advantages over other energy sources like coal and nuclear power, which have significant safety, security, and environmental issues. However, relying heavily on natural gas is also problematic for several reasons.

Air Pollution and Climate Change

Natural gas-fired power plants do emit lower levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides than coal-fired plants do, but these emissions still contribute to acid rain and ground level ozone, both of which can damage forests and agricultural crops.

Ground level ozone (commonly called smog) has also been linked to a range of respiratory illnesses. More recently, ground level ozone has been linked to the development of childhood asthma, the “most common chronic disease” among children.

Possibly more troubling are the emissions of fine particulates from gas-fired power plants. Though particulate emissions are about one-tenth what they are for coal power, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 77% of particulates from natural gas plant are dangerously small. These fine particulates have the greatest impact on human health because they by-pass our bodies’ natural respiratory filters and end up deep in the lungs. In fact, many studies have found no safe limit for exposure to these substances.

Natural gas also contributes to climate change. Burning natural gas produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions (25-40% lower, per unit of generated electricity) than coal or oil, but there will be no real climate change benefit until gas-fired power plants actually displace coal-fired generation. Across North America, gas-fired plants continue to be built in addition to coal-fired power.

Using natural gas as a “transition fuel” also poses risks. That’s because pipelines required to transport natural gas from its source to the power plant are expensive. High pipeline costs have to be spread out by building several gas-fired power plants that last a generation. Even the best-case scenario shows that natural gas is not a solution to climate change.

Price Increases

There is also the issue of the price of natural gas. Many energy experts are predicting that North American natural gas prices will climb to twice their average price. That’s because continued growth in gas-fired electricity in North America—driven by U.S. demand—is exceeding proven reserves of natural gas.

Canada is America’s largest source of natural gas, but Canada’s reserves are dwindling. Based on proven reserves and 2002 production, Canada has less than ten years of production left. In the long run, increased supply will not be able to match demand.

>> Coal
<< Back to Energy - Fossil Fuels