1. Nationally Abundant:
Almost 100% of the natural gas used in the United States comes from North America. Thanks to the shale boom, we are an energy independent nation. Among other benefits, this means when something happens overseas, such as the recent oil-field bombings in Sudia Arabia, we no longer feel it at the gas pump. It’s estimated we have enough natural gas reserves to keep us independent for at least the next 100 years, and that is only if technology does not continue advancing. As we have seen with the improvement of hydraulic fracturing, one small breakthrough can change the world, again.
2. Naturally Cleaner:
Natural gas is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels. The natural gas boom contributed to a 33% reduction of emissions in 2016. A report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that burning natural gas for energy results in fewer emissions of NEARLY ALL types of air pollutants than burning coal or petroleum products for the same amount of energy.
3. Economical:
By enormously increasing the supply, hydraulic fracturing has made natural gas more cost effective than ever before. In addition, the natural gas we use is produced locally. There’s no need for the expense of having it liquified and shipped here from other nations. On the contrary, because we have so much, other countries are buying it from us.
4. Reliable:
Unlike power from solar panels and wind turbines, natural gas is not dependent on the weather. Cloudy days are a fact of nature. Windless days are a fact of nature. In order for solar and wind to be viable as major energy sources, better batteries than we have now will need to be invented. Natural gas, however, heats your home whatever the weather.
5. Naturally Efficient:
Natural gas, when converted to energy, can exceed 90% efficiency. Solar and wind farms generally can’t be built near the places they are supposed to be powering. And since power is lost when transmitted over distances, they have to produce much more energy than will be used. This energy is a complete loss. Natural gas power plants can be built where they are needed, keeping loss due to transmission minimal at the most.
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