Natural gas not a clean energy solution

Among fossil fuels, natural gas has been advocated by some as a “greener” alternative to coal and oil.  “It produces about 29% and 44% less carbon dioxide per joule delivered than oil and coal respectively and potentially fewer pollutants than other hydrocarbon fuels”. (Wikipedia from naturalgas.org).

However, natural gas exploration, extraction and transportation have serious environmental consequences. In the US, an increasing proportion of natural gas (at present close to 40%) is extracted by “fracking” (hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling).  Large amounts of water and various chemicals, some of them quite toxic, are injected into the ground to release the gas. This contaminates the air and ground water.  More information can be found at http://www.biggerpieforum.org/How-does-fracking-work.

Natural gas is composed primarily of methane which is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.  In the continental US, an ever expanding network of pipelines transports natural gas.  Currently there are 305,000 miles of interstate and intrastate transmission pipelines according to the US Energy Administration.  Studies are ongoing to estimate the overall leakage of methane during production and transport, with current figures ranging from 1% to 8% of total produced U.S. natural gas. ( Scientific American, 1 Aug 2013 and Environmental Defense Fund).

Seismic methods are used in the exploration for natural gas.  In the marine environment, “arrays of high-powered air guns release intense blasts of compressed air into the water every 10-12 seconds, for weeks or months at a time” (NRDC).  Sound levels may be as high as 250 decibels or greater. (By comparison, occupational safety and health regulations limit workplace exposure to 90 decibels over an 8 hour period).  The loud sounds produced by seismic testing can result in damage to marine species including killing fish and affecting the hearing of whales, porpoises and dolphins.

Natural gas is highly explosive and extremely toxic.  But there is good news.  For those interested in ridding their homes of natural gas, an air-source or ground-source heat pump can be a cost-effective alternative for home heating.  “Green” electricity can be obtained from various sources, including home-based solar panels and a number of suppliers including Verde Energy.  These suppliers are listed on the NSTAR website under Competitive Supply.

In conclusion, natural gas hardly can be considered an environmentally friendly source of energy.   Our future must lie in clean, renewable alternatives: solar, wind, hydropower and fusion.

Elizabeth Newton, Sycamore Road, Wayland.