The Benefits Of Natural Gas

Listed below are some of the benefits of natural gas. Natural gas is abundant in nature, and its low carbon content and high methane content make it less corrosive. It also reduces dependence on foreign oil and air pollution. It supports approximately 2.8 million jobs in the U.S. and replaces coal in electricity generation. These benefits can be seen and felt immediately check on natural gas providers Sugar Land TX for more information about it. This article focuses on a few of these benefits.

Reduces dependence on foreign oil

As a country, America’s overreliance on foreign oil is a source of national security and economic concern. A bipartisan effort to reduce this dependency is underway. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan all pledged to cut our dependence on oil. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama made similar commitments during their administrations, and they will leave the office with lower oil imports than their predecessors. However, this trend will continue until we are completely off our oil dependence.

The United States began increasing its production in the mid-2000s, partly due to new technologies. Nevertheless, a decade later, U.S. oil production was lower than it had been, and the OPEC oil embargo exacerbated the problem. In addition, fewer drillers began operating, reducing our dependence on foreign oil. But the U.S. oil industry has since grown and today produces over half of the world’s oil.

Reduces air pollution

There are several ways to improve air quality in your area. One way is to make a change in your commute. In Southern California, car traffic is down nearly 33%, while truck traffic is down 20%. Even if you don’t change your commute, you can still impact the quality of the air in your area. A recent Harvard study shows that the increased mortality rate from COVID-19 correlates to a higher level of air pollution.

Federal policy can reduce air pollution by limiting the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, and diesel engines. It can also increase the local government’s ability to enforce standards for indoor air quality, provide funds for programs that aid low-income families, and invest in public transportation. The United States can reduce air pollution by adopting a comprehensive plan.

Replaces coal in electricity generation

Ten years ago, half of the United States’ electricity generation came from coal. Today, natural gas accounts for one-third of that. The growth in the use of natural gas in electricity generation has spurred policymakers and electric utilities to make the switch to clean energy. Natural gas produces half the amount of carbon dioxide as coal. Combined with a reduction in electricity demand, these changes have reduced emissions in the power sector.

While a carbon tax and renewable energy policies could reduce coal dependence, a transition to natural gas will require new approaches. These policies might encourage the development of alternative industries rather than hollow out communities and upending families. Despite the potential cost of this transition, there are many policy solutions to help the transition to clean energy. One option is to limit new coal plants and support alternative energy projects. It can also benefit the United States’ energy security by limiting the financing of new coal plants.

Supports 2.8 million jobs

In 2018, 3.4 million American jobs were directly connected to the use of natural gas. These jobs contributed $408 billion to the economy and produced $152 billion in personal income. And according to the REMI model, nearly eighty percent of those jobs remained in the same region. This is because of the role played by local distribution companies that deliver gas directly to consumers nationwide. These companies supply 40 percent of the nation’s energy.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers report estimates that natural gas will create an additional 1 million jobs in U.S. manufacturing industries by 2025. Ultimately, this new energy will lead to increased manufacturing jobs. Meanwhile, the glut of natural gas will also create export opportunities for drilling companies, which will boost the economy. But that’s not the only benefit. In fact, natural gas is also responsible for creating a 2.8 million-job economy.

Promotes transition to renewable energy

There is a need to shift toward clean, lower-carbon technologies in a decarbonized energy future. While nuclear power is being phased out, renewable energy is needed for the baseload. Low-carbon natural gas can provide a flexible, uninterrupted energy supply. Combined with renewable energy sources, it can be used as a complementary fuel during peak energy use. In addition to decarbonization, some pathways may allow for decarbonization at scale.

Natural gas has a variety of uses, and its carbon footprint is half that of coal. This makes it a valuable resource for the transition to renewable energy sources. In addition to fueling transportation, it is a proven carbon sink, reducing emissions in the short term. With 60 percent of oil used for transportation, gas has many other uses. Most coal is used for power, which will serve the diverse energy needs of an electrified world.