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Natural gas powers millions of homes and industries worldwide. Regarding the lasting effects on the environment, numerous individuals continue to question the potential consequences for our future. How will natural gas affect us down the road, and is it a renewable resource? The straightforward answer is no—natural gas is not a renewable energy source. Learn why that’s the case and what it means for our future energy landscape in this article.
Natural gas is a source of energy beneath the earth’s surface. Though it contains many different substances, one of its primary components is methane (CH4), which has one carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogen atoms. Natural gas is tasteless, colorless, and odorless—what we think of as its characteristic smell is a commercial addition to help warn people of gas leaks.
Apart from methane, natural gas contains other hydrocarbon components and nonhydrocarbon components. A hydrocarbon is any compound composed of both carbon and hydrogen, and these compounds are often found in fuel sources like petroleum and natural gas.
Natural gas contains hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) such as propane, butane, and ethane. These HGLs would be gaseous at atmospheric pressure, but they condense into liquid form at extreme pressures such as those found deep beneath the earth’s surface, or in pressurized containers. Natural gas also contains nonhydrocarbon gases like water vapor and carbon dioxide. Read more about the components of natural gas on our blog, “How Does Natural Gas Get to My Home, and How Is It Used?”
Renewable energy sources—such as wind, solar, and hydro—naturally replenish and have an endless supply. The natural gas we use today is over millions of years old. Once it’s gone, we can’t produce more within any practical timeframe, making it a finite resource, just like coal and oil. Natural gas isn’t a renewable resource but remains critical to our current energy system. In the short term, it provides a less harmful alternative to coal and oil.
Natural gas is nonrenewable, so supplies are in danger of running out. However, advances in extraction methods like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) have unlocked previously inaccessible reserves, significantly increasing global natural gas supplies since 2000, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, this does not change the fact that natural gas is finite.
Natural Gas comes from the U.S., though natural gas is produced domestically. Leading states include Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
Natural gas is extracted through several methods, including:
Natural gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels, but it still has a considerable environmental impact. Burning natural gas produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. While it emits fewer pollutants and less CO2 than coal or oil, natural gas still poses environmental challenges.
Methane leaks: Natural gas consists primarily of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is 25 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than CO2. Leaks from wells, pipelines, and storage facilities contribute to global warming.
Environmental damage: Extracting and transporting natural gas can harm ecosystems and water supplies. Fracking, in particular, uses large amounts of water and can pollute local water resources if not managed properly.
Natural gas is often promoted as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. It produces 40-50% fewer carbon emissions than coal, making it a better option for power generation. For instance, between 2005 and 2016, replacing coal with natural gas in U.S. power plants prevented over 22,000 deaths due to reduced air pollution, according to a study in Nature. Natural gas is a cleaner, more efficient way to heat homes and power essential appliances.
As we move toward a cleaner energy future, natural gas will likely play a more minor role. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower are becoming more affordable and widely available, offering a path forward without the harmful emissions of fossil fuels. In the meantime, natural gas serves as a “bridge fuel,” helping to reduce carbon emissions while renewable energy capacity grows.
Governments and industries must continue developing technologies that minimize natural gas’s environmental impact. Capturing methane leaks, improving fracking practices, and investing in carbon capture and storage can all help reduce the harm caused by natural gas production.
As we continue to learn and grow our efforts in the clean energy world, there are things we can do that make a difference. Carbon offsets are helpful to manage your carbon footprint in coordination with other reduction efforts, like energy efficiency, until better solutions become available or affordable. Choosing carbon neutral natural gas is a simple, low-cost way that anyone can make an immediate difference!
Find a Carbon Neutral Gas Plan->
To learn more about our residential natural gas or to switch suppliers, contact Shipley Energy. Throughout the Northeast, customers trust Shipley Energy for our dependable service, value, and years of experience that help us find the best energy solutions for each household’s needs. And if you’re looking to switch to natural gas, we can install the equipment you’ll need for your supply.
Check our rates online, and then contact us today to learn more. You can also give us a call at 855-275-9720.
