Benefit of natural gas will continue?

Carbon dioxide dramatically reached to its lowest level  in last 20 years in the U.S. Plentiful supply and cheap price of natural gas are the main reasons power plants have shifted from coal-burning to the natural gas- the more clean resource-. New technology caused the drop in natural gas prices from $7-$8 per unit to $3 throughout the past four year. As a result, CO2 emission fell to about 1992 levels over the four months of this year. The record is surprising, rate of coal used decrease from 50% to 34% from 2005 till now. On other hand, amount of coal and other non-renewable energies are still globally rising, especially China. There is a controversial question about whether or not a boom in the economy-falling coal price verses rising  natural gas price-switch energy resources from coal to natural gas or vice versa. Furthermore, natural gas extraction still effects the environment and emits some CO2 in to the Air; therefore, Natural gas is not a long-term solution, according to Pielke.

In comparing natural gas plants with coal plants, it shows that power plants fueled by coal emit 90 times as much sulfur dioxide, 5 times as much nitrogen oxide and 2 times as much carbon dioxide as those run with natural gas. According to the Government Accountability Office’s investigation, sulfur dioxide leads to acid rain and nitrogen oxide causes smog.

Between 28 Eastern, Midwestern and Southern states, sulfur dioxide fell 34% and nitrous oxide 16% over the past two years Bentek, an energy consulting firm in Colorado, said.

The first rules to limit CO2 emissions were issued by the Environmental Protection Agency but the standards don’t take effect on reducing emissions until 2014 and 2015. Experts noted that utilities need time to shift from dirtier coal burning plants to natural gas plants. They added the upfront cost is one of big issue limitation.

Inspite of the International Energy Agency, US cut carbon dioxide about 6 billion metric tons in 2007, and prediction for this year is 5.2 billion. Natural gas still pollutes the underground drinking water, leaking methane from drilling, and contributes to global warming, Environmentalists said.

Many industry and governmental officials declare that they do not have reliable data about methane leakage. Despite of lack of knowledge about effects of drilling, the natural gas boom, it is one of a number of reasons for cautious optimism, Mann said.

Overall, lagging economy, using renewable resources, and low priced natural gas are three crucial factors for declining CO2 emission.

Reference: Kevin Begos (August 27. 2012 ), The Associated Press, Bulletin, retrieved on https://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20120827/NEWS0107/208270349/

Categorised in: EPA