Is natural gas environmentally friendly?

Natural gas is a fossil fuel – but it’s cleaner and more efficient than other traditional fuels.

Natural gas produces less pollution and greenhouse gases than its counterparts, according to the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas. For example, when natural gas is burned, it produces 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal, 30 percent less than oil and 15 percent less than wood. During combustion, it produces heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Natural gas is cost-effective and plentiful with 67 per cent of Canada’s natural gas originating in Alberta, according to the province’s energy ministry. It’s not as clean as wind or solar power, but natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel—and is considered by many to be a key ingredient as the world transitions to a cleaner future.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes that most of the natural gas consumed in the United States is produced domestically.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) notes that appliances, vehicles and power plants are highly efficient when powered by natural gas. This high efficiency makes natural gas a cleaner energy option.

More information on natural gas is available at the LNG Facts, Canada’s Natural Gas and CAPP websites.

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