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NATURAL GAS (NG)
Natural Gas is a vital component of the world's supply of energy. It is one of the cleanest, safest, and most useful of all energy sources. Despite its importance, however, there are many misconceptions about natural gas. For instance, the word 'gas' itself has a variety of different uses, and meanings. When we fuel our car, we put 'gas' in it. However, the gasoline that goes into your vehicle, while a fossil fuel itself, is very different from natural gas. The 'gas' in the common barbecue is actually propane, which, while closely associated and commonly found in natural gas, is not really natural gas itself. While commonly grouped in with other fossil fuels and sources of energy, there are many characteristics of natural gas that make it unique. Below is a bit of background information about natural gas, what exactly it is, how it is formed, and how it is found in nature.
WHAT IS NATURAL GAS
Natural gas, in itself, might be considered a very uninteresting gas - it is colorless, shapeless, and odorless in its pure form. Quite uninteresting - except that natural gas is combustible, and when burned it gives off a great deal of energy. Unlike other fossil fuels, however, natural gas is clean burning and emits lower levels of potentially harmful byproducts into the air. We require energy constantly, to heat our homes, cook our food, and generate our electricity. It is this need for energy that has elevated natural gas to such a level of importance in our society, and in our lives.
Natural gas is a combustible mixture of hydrocarbon gases.
Natural gas is an extremely valued resource in our society. It is not surprising, then, that the natural gas industry generates a great deal of commerce, in the United States and worldwide. This section is intended to provide an overview of the business side of the natural gas industry, including statistics and figures about the industry.
The Role of Natural Gas in Reducing Carbon Emissions
GTI—working with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), American Gas Association (AGA), American Public Gas Association (APGA), National Fuel Gas, National Grid, Nicor Gas, Piedmont Natural Gas, Sempra Utilities, and Southwest Gas—has completed a report that confirms the direct use of natural gas as a cost-effective mechanism to assist in increasing the nation’s full fuel cycle energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Results show that increased direct use of natural gas will reduce primary energy consumption, consumer energy costs, and national CO2 emissions. This work, performed in conjunction with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), used the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) model to provide a credible set of results acceptable to government organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
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