Abby CoppingerNatural gas was once an overlooked byproduct of oil production. Today, it’s a major resource for America’s overall energy framework.
To catch you up, here are a few facts about this lesser-known, but hugely important, natural resource:
1. Natural gas is really clean.
Natural gas has the cleanest combustion profile of all fossil fuels. In fact, the main byproducts of burning natural gas are carbon dioxide and water — the same byproducts we expel when we breathe.
2. Natural gas is, well, natural.
Natural gas can be found all over planet Earth. When it’s not trapped underground in a rock formation, it will flow naturally to the surface.
3. Natural gas is transported using pipelines.
The United States alone has 300,000 miles of natural gas pipelines — enough to wrap around the planet 37.5 times.
4. Natural Gas is odorless.
Mercaptan, a harmless chemical that smells like rotten eggs, is added to natural gas so that leaks can be easily detected.
5. You probably use it.
Natural gas is used by more than 177 million Americans and provides almost a quarter of all energy used nationwide.
6. It saves you money.
U.S. customers who use natural gas instead of electricity save an average of $874 on their energy bills each year.
7. We have a lot of it.
It’s estimated that the U.S. has enough natural gas to meet our growing energy needs for the next 100 years.
8. It’s everywhere.
Natural gas has been produced or is now being produced in 33 states.
9. It’s in your pocket.
Natural gas is a key ingredient in plastic production, meaning you probably have a derivative of natural gas in your pocket, in the form of a smartphone or credit card.
10. Natural gas is often found with oil.
Natural gas is often found in the same reservoirs that contain oil. While it was once discarded as a waste byproduct, it’s now produced and separated from oil to be used across the country.
So now you know about natural gas. We’ll leave you with the natural gas pick-up line courtesy of Ross Geller. Use at your own risk!