The Many Dangers of Natural Gas

THE MANY DANGERS OF NATURAL GAS HOW NATURAL GAS BECOMES ELECTRICITY Gas is treated to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide hydrocarbons, and moisture. Natural gas is extracted from the earth. Extracted natural 2 gas is transported to gas plants to be refined. Pipelines transport treated gas from gas plants to power plants. Power plants use one of three common methods to generate electricity from the refined natural gas. 3 Beyond heating our houses and lighting our stoves, natural gas accounts for 23% OF OUR GRID POWER in the U.S. We use natural gas to generate electricity through several processes. STEAM TURBINES COMBUSTION TURBINES COMBINED CYCLE Gas is burned in a The exhaust from a hot combustion turbine is used to make steam to drive a turbine to Gas is burned and boiler to heat water and produce steam, which is then used by a steam turbine to generate electricity. pressurized in pipes to drive a turbine to generate electricity. generate electricity. ITS MANY DANGERS FRACKING HOT ZzONES Although natural gas is seen as the comparably safer and cleaner fossil fuel, it's not without drawbacks. Though many states are coping with the effects of nearty natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania arguably has it the worst. CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER O WHAT'S IN THE WATER? Hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new method of drilling for natural gas that has big environmental risks, particularly for drinking water. Here's how it happens: There are more than 50 known chemicals used in fracking. Some of the more toxic chemicals can cause severe discomfort, pain, or even death. West Virginia Gas-drilling wastewater is "Hydrofracking" involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, into rock at discharged into the Ohio River from a plant in Wheeling. Methyl Alcohol: Drowsiness, vomiting. blurred vision, coma, and death. high pressures to release gas. Boric Acid: Drowsiness, low blood pressure, and sloughing of skin. A single well can produce more than 1 million gallons of wastewater that's often laced with corrosive salts, carcinogens, and elements. New York Wastewater was sent to one New York plant that discharges into Southern Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, and another plant that discharges into Owasco Outlet near Auburn. Hydrochloric Acid: Corrosive and can burn body tissue. Pennsylvania More than 1.3 billion 3. Fracking fluid can leak into underground aquifers or spill from open pipes or transport vehicles into local gallons of wastewater have been produced in Pennsylvania in the last three years. Treatment plants discharged wastewater into the state's major river basins, including the Susquehanna River, which feeds into Chesapeake Bay and supplies water for more than 6 million people. Potassium Hydroxide: Severe burn to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. water sources. Texas Monoethanolamine: Severe eye and lung 4 Wastewater can sometimes be taken to sewage plants that aren't designed A hospital system in six Texas counties with the heaviest drilling recorded a 25% asthma rate for young children, more than triple the state rate. treat it. irritant. Acetic Anhydride: Severe eye and skin irritant. Contaminated wastewater is then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water. Propagyl Alcohol: Damages eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. KABOOM! O HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS 4 The deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., last September brought aging natural gas pipelines into focus. Although it's cleaner than coal or oil combustion, natural gas combustion still emits hazardous gases. Danger Underfoot a Pollutant Oil Coal Natural Gas The U.S. has more than 2,000,000 miles of pipelines running through the " country, many in heavily populated areas. Carbon Dioxide 164,000 208,000 117,000 I More than 60% of the nation's gas pipelines are 40 years or older. Carbon Monoxide 33 208 40 More than 2,800 significant gas pipeline accidents have been recorded across the country since 1990. Nitrogen Oxides 448 457 92 Sulfur Dioxides 1,122 2,591 Checks and Balances O Only about 100 federal inspectors with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 1 Safety Administration are charged with ensuring compliance on the more than 2 million miles of pipeline. Particulates 84 2,744 Mercury 0.007 0.016 0.000 The system often relies on pipeline operators to survey their own gas lines and decide which are at risk. Fossit Fuel Emission Levels (Pounds Per Billion Btu of Energy Input LAND IMPACT The cost of replacing lengthy stretches of pipelines can exceed $30 million. 1 Industry watchdogs criticize utilities for not being willing to spend money to prevent aging pipeline accidents. Drilling and exploration can negatively impact wildlife, wilderness habitats, and public open spaces. Other negative land impacts associated with natural gas include: • EROSION • LOSS OF SOIL PRODUCTIVITY • FLOODING • INCREASED RUNOFFS • LANDSLIDES THE DECLINE OF OTHER ENERGY SOURCES Global natural gas production grew 44% between 1990 and 2010. Volatile oil prices coupled with the hangover from last year's massive BP spill have many thinking it's time to relieve America's dependence on oil-derived energy. 10% New EPA rules limiting carbon emissions would require costly investments to scrub emissions Though natural gas has a reputation as the greener fossil fuel, it's not entirely clean. Studies suggest that the country's rush to develop natural gas sources is likely to do more to heat up the planet -- thanks to the methane from coal-powered plants. Since the Fukushima disaster began, the price of uranium has dropped 30%. Since Fukushima, natural gas prices in Europe and the U.S. have risen 10%. released during extraction. RISE OF NATURAL GAS In the future, building a nuclear power plant will be prohibitively expensive. UNLIKELY FANS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OIL COMPANIES BARACK OBAMA Major oil companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, and Shell have started to buy up natural gas fields at a rapid pace. In 2010 Exxon purchased XTO Energy to become the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S Portrays natural gas as a clean and/or green energy source. Bullish on domestic natural gas production and natural gas powered Natural gas is an important transition or "bridge' fuel that burns much cleaner than coal. We should use more of it until truly clean energy sources like solar and wind become more widely available. vehicles. Counterpoint: The first studies of natural gas emissions over its entire production life cycle suggest that because of all the methane released during extraction, natural gas may actually do more to heat up the planet than mining and burning coal. Counterpoint: New research reduces the estimates of recoverable natural gas by a factor of 1000. Experts like oil geologist Jean Laherrere and natural gas expert Catherine Elder say although the resource is large, the amount of recoverable fuel is likely much smaller. Counterpoint: Methane is the chief component of natural gas and traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency recently doubled its estimates for the amount of methane vented or lost from natural gas distribution lines. Sources: Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, New York Times, MSNBC, NaturalGas.org, PowerScorecard.org 1BOG.org THE MANY DANGERS OF NATURAL GAS HOW NATURAL GAS BECOMES ELECTRICITY Gas is treated to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide hydrocarbons, and moisture. Natural gas is extracted from the earth. Extracted natural 2 gas is transported to gas plants to be refined. Pipelines transport treated gas from gas plants to power plants. Power plants use one of three common methods to generate electricity from the refined natural gas. 3 Beyond heating our houses and lighting our stoves, natural gas accounts for 23% OF OUR GRID POWER in the U.S. We use natural gas to generate electricity through several processes. STEAM TURBINES COMBUSTION TURBINES COMBINED CYCLE Gas is burned in a The exhaust from a hot combustion turbine is used to make steam to drive a turbine to Gas is burned and boiler to heat water and produce steam, which is then used by a steam turbine to generate electricity. pressurized in pipes to drive a turbine to generate electricity. generate electricity. ITS MANY DANGERS FRACKING HOT ZzONES Although natural gas is seen as the comparably safer and cleaner fossil fuel, it's not without drawbacks. Though many states are coping with the effects of nearty natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania arguably has it the worst. CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER O WHAT'S IN THE WATER? Hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new method of drilling for natural gas that has big environmental risks, particularly for drinking water. Here's how it happens: There are more than 50 known chemicals used in fracking. Some of the more toxic chemicals can cause severe discomfort, pain, or even death. West Virginia Gas-drilling wastewater is 1 "Hydrofracking" involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, into rock at discharged into the Ohio River from a plant in Wheeling. Methyl Alcohol: Drowsiness, vomiting. blurred vision, coma, and death. high pressures to release gas. Boric Acid: Drowsiness, low blood pressure, and sloughing of skin. A single well can produce more than 1 million gallons of wastewater that's often laced with corrosive salts, carcinogens, and elements. New York Wastewater was sent to one New York plant that discharges into Southern Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, and another plant that discharges into Owasco Outlet near Auburn. Hydrochloric Acid: Corrosive and can burn body tissue. Pennsylvania More than 1.3 billion 3. Fracking fluid can leak into underground aquifers or spill from open pipes or transport vehicles into local gallons of wastewater have been produced in Pennsylvania in the last three years. Treatment plants discharged wastewater into the state's major river basins, including the Susquehanna River, which feeds into Chesapeake Bay and supplies water for more than 6 million реople. Potassium Hydroxide: Severe burn to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. water sources. Texas Monoethanolamine: Severe eye and lung 4 Wastewater can sometimes be taken to sewage plants that aren't designed A hospital system in six Texas counties with the heaviest drilling recorded a 25% asthma rate for young children, more than triple the state rate. treat it. irritant. Acetic Anhydride: Severe eye and skin irritant. Contaminated wastewater is then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water. Propagyl Alcohol: Damages eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. KABOOM! O HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS 4 The deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., last September brought aging natural gas pipelines into focus. Although it's cleaner than coal or oil combustion, natural gas combustion still emits hazardous gases. Danger Underfoot a Pollutant Oil Сoal Natural Gas The U.S. has more than 2,000,000 miles of pipelines running through the " country, many in heavily populated areas. Carbon Dioxide 164,000 208,000 117,000 I More than 60% of the nation's gas pipelines are 40 years or older. Carbon Monoxide 33 208 40 More than 2,800 significant gas pipeline accidents have been recorded across the country since 1990. Nitrogen Oxides 448 457 92 Sulfur Dioxides 1,122 2,591 Checks and Balances O Only about 100 federal inspectors with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 1 Safety Administration are charged with ensuring compliance on the more than 2 million miles of pipeline. Particulates 84 2,744 7 Mercury 0.007 0.016 0.000 The system often relies on pipeline operators to survey their own gas lines and decide which are at risk. Fossit Fuel Emission Levels (Pounds Per Billion Btu of Energy Input LAND IMPACT The cost of replacing lengthy stretches of pipelines can exceed $30 million. 1 Industry watchdogs criticize utilities for not being willing to spend money to prevent aging pipeline accidents. Drilling and exploration can negatively impact wildlife, wilderness habitats, and public open spaces. Other negative land impacts associated with natural gas include: • EROSION • LOSS OF SOIL PRODUCTIVITY • FLOODING • INCREASED RUNOFFS • LANDSLIDES THE DECLINE OF OTHER ENERGY SOURCES Global natural gas production grew 44% between 1990 and 2010. Volatile oil prices coupled with the hangover from last year's massive BP spill have many thinking it's time to relieve America's dependence on oil-derived energy. 10% New EPA rules limiting carbon emissions would require costly investments to scrub emissions Though natural gas has a reputation as the greener fossil fuel, it's not entirely clean. Studies suggest that the country's rush to develop natural gas sources is likely to do more to heat up the planet -- thanks to the methane from coal-powered plants. Since the Fukushima disaster began, the price of uranium has dropped 30%. Since Fukushima, natural gas prices in Europe and the U.S. have risen 10%. released during extraction. RISE OF NATURAL GAS In the future, building a nuclear power plant will be prohibitively expensive. UNLIKELY FANS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OIL COMPANIES BARACK OBAМА Major oil companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, and Shell have started to buy up natural gas fields at a rapid pace. In 2010 Exxon purchased XTO Energy to become the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S Portrays natural gas as a clean and/or green energy source. Bullish on domestic natural gas production and natural gas powered Natural gas is an important transition or "bridge' fuel that burns much cleaner than coal. We should use more of it until truly clean energy sources like solar and wind become more widely available. vehicles. Counterpoint: The first studies of natural gas emissions over its entire production life cycle suggest that because of all the methane released during extraction, natural gas may actually do more to heat up the planet than mining and burning coal. Counterpoint: New research reduces the estimates of recoverable natural gas by a factor of 1000. Experts like oil geologist Jean Laherrere and natural gas expert Catherine Elder say although the resource is large, the amount of recoverable fuel is likely much smaller. Counterpoint: Methane is the chief component of natural gas and traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency recently doubled its estimates for the amount of methane vented or lost from natural gas distribution lines. Sources: Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, New York Times, MSNBC, NaturalGas.org, PowerScorecard.org 1BOG.org THE MANY DANGERS OF NATURAL GAS HOW NATURAL GAS BECOMES ELECTRICITY Gas is treated to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide hydrocarbons, and moisture. Natural gas is extracted from the earth. Extracted natural 2 gas is transported to gas plants to be refined. Pipelines transport treated gas from gas plants to power plants. Power plants use one of three common methods to generate electricity from the refined natural gas. 3 Beyond heating our houses and lighting our stoves, natural gas accounts for 23% OF OUR GRID POWER in the U.S. We use natural gas to generate electricity through several processes. STEAM TURBINES COMBUSTION TURBINES COMBINED CYCLE Gas is burned in a The exhaust from a hot combustion turbine is used to make steam to drive a turbine to Gas is burned and boiler to heat water and produce steam, which is then used by a steam turbine to generate electricity. pressurized in pipes to drive a turbine to generate electricity. generate electricity. ITS MANY DANGERS FRACKING HOT ZzONES Although natural gas is seen as the comparably safer and cleaner fossil fuel, it's not without drawbacks. Though many states are coping with the effects of nearty natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania arguably has it the worst. CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER O WHAT'S IN THE WATER? Hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new method of drilling for natural gas that has big environmental risks, particularly for drinking water. Here's how it happens: There are more than 50 known chemicals used in fracking. Some of the more toxic chemicals can cause severe discomfort, pain, or even death. West Virginia Gas-drilling wastewater is 1 "Hydrofracking" involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, into rock at discharged into the Ohio River from a plant in Wheeling. Methyl Alcohol: Drowsiness, vomiting. blurred vision, coma, and death. high pressures to release gas. Boric Acid: Drowsiness, low blood pressure, and sloughing of skin. A single well can produce more than 1 million gallons of wastewater that's often laced with corrosive salts, carcinogens, and elements. New York Wastewater was sent to one New York plant that discharges into Southern Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, and another plant that discharges into Owasco Outlet near Auburn. Hydrochloric Acid: Corrosive and can burn body tissue. Pennsylvania More than 1.3 billion 3. Fracking fluid can leak into underground aquifers or spill from open pipes or transport vehicles into local gallons of wastewater have been produced in Pennsylvania in the last three years. Treatment plants discharged wastewater into the state's major river basins, including the Susquehanna River, which feeds into Chesapeake Bay and supplies water for more than 6 million реople. Potassium Hydroxide: Severe burn to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. water sources. Texas Monoethanolamine: Severe eye and lung 4 Wastewater can sometimes be taken to sewage plants that aren't designed A hospital system in six Texas counties with the heaviest drilling recorded a 25% asthma rate for young children, more than triple the state rate. treat it. irritant. Acetic Anhydride: Severe eye and skin irritant. Contaminated wastewater is then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water. Propagyl Alcohol: Damages eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. KABOOM! O HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS 4 The deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., last September brought aging natural gas pipelines into focus. Although it's cleaner than coal or oil combustion, natural gas combustion still emits hazardous gases. Danger Underfoot a Pollutant Oil Сoal Natural Gas The U.S. has more than 2,000,000 miles of pipelines running through the " country, many in heavily populated areas. Carbon Dioxide 164,000 208,000 117,000 I More than 60% of the nation's gas pipelines are 40 years or older. Carbon Monoxide 33 208 40 More than 2,800 significant gas pipeline accidents have been recorded across the country since 1990. Nitrogen Oxides 448 457 92 Sulfur Dioxides 1,122 2,591 Checks and Balances O Only about 100 federal inspectors with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 1 Safety Administration are charged with ensuring compliance on the more than 2 million miles of pipeline. Particulates 84 2,744 7 Mercury 0.007 0.016 0.000 The system often relies on pipeline operators to survey their own gas lines and decide which are at risk. Fossit Fuel Emission Levels (Pounds Per Billion Btu of Energy Input LAND IMPACT The cost of replacing lengthy stretches of pipelines can exceed $30 million. 1 Industry watchdogs criticize utilities for not being willing to spend money to prevent aging pipeline accidents. Drilling and exploration can negatively impact wildlife, wilderness habitats, and public open spaces. Other negative land impacts associated with natural gas include: • EROSION • LOSS OF SOIL PRODUCTIVITY • FLOODING • INCREASED RUNOFFS • LANDSLIDES THE DECLINE OF OTHER ENERGY SOURCES Global natural gas production grew 44% between 1990 and 2010. Volatile oil prices coupled with the hangover from last year's massive BP spill have many thinking it's time to relieve America's dependence on oil-derived energy. 10% New EPA rules limiting carbon emissions would require costly investments to scrub emissions Though natural gas has a reputation as the greener fossil fuel, it's not entirely clean. Studies suggest that the country's rush to develop natural gas sources is likely to do more to heat up the planet -- thanks to the methane from coal-powered plants. Since the Fukushima disaster began, the price of uranium has dropped 30%. Since Fukushima, natural gas prices in Europe and the U.S. have risen 10%. released during extraction. RISE OF NATURAL GAS In the future, building a nuclear power plant will be prohibitively expensive. UNLIKELY FANS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OIL COMPANIES BARACK OBAМА Major oil companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, and Shell have started to buy up natural gas fields at a rapid pace. In 2010 Exxon purchased XTO Energy to become the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S Portrays natural gas as a clean and/or green energy source. Bullish on domestic natural gas production and natural gas powered Natural gas is an important transition or "bridge' fuel that burns much cleaner than coal. We should use more of it until truly clean energy sources like solar and wind become more widely available. vehicles. Counterpoint: The first studies of natural gas emissions over its entire production life cycle suggest that because of all the methane released during extraction, natural gas may actually do more to heat up the planet than mining and burning coal. Counterpoint: New research reduces the estimates of recoverable natural gas by a factor of 1000. Experts like oil geologist Jean Laherrere and natural gas expert Catherine Elder say although the resource is large, the amount of recoverable fuel is likely much smaller. Counterpoint: Methane is the chief component of natural gas and traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency recently doubled its estimates for the amount of methane vented or lost from natural gas distribution lines. Sources: Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, New York Times, MSNBC, NaturalGas.org, PowerScorecard.org 1BOG.org THE MANY DANGERS OF NATURAL GAS HOW NATURAL GAS BECOMES ELECTRICITY Gas is treated to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide hydrocarbons, and moisture. Natural gas is extracted from the earth. Extracted natural 2 gas is transported to gas plants to be refined. Pipelines transport treated gas from gas plants to power plants. Power plants use one of three common methods to generate electricity from the refined natural gas. 3 Beyond heating our houses and lighting our stoves, natural gas accounts for 23% OF OUR GRID POWER in the U.S. We use natural gas to generate electricity through several processes. STEAM TURBINES COMBUSTION TURBINES COMBINED CYCLE Gas is burned in a The exhaust from a hot combustion turbine is used to make steam to drive a turbine to Gas is burned and boiler to heat water and produce steam, which is then used by a steam turbine to generate electricity. pressurized in pipes to drive a turbine to generate electricity. generate electricity. ITS MANY DANGERS FRACKING HOT ZzONES Although natural gas is seen as the comparably safer and cleaner fossil fuel, it's not without drawbacks. Though many states are coping with the effects of nearty natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania arguably has it the worst. CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER O WHAT'S IN THE WATER? Hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new method of drilling for natural gas that has big environmental risks, particularly for drinking water. Here's how it happens: There are more than 50 known chemicals used in fracking. Some of the more toxic chemicals can cause severe discomfort, pain, or even death. West Virginia Gas-drilling wastewater is 1 "Hydrofracking" involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, into rock at discharged into the Ohio River from a plant in Wheeling. Methyl Alcohol: Drowsiness, vomiting. blurred vision, coma, and death. high pressures to release gas. Boric Acid: Drowsiness, low blood pressure, and sloughing of skin. A single well can produce more than 1 million gallons of wastewater that's often laced with corrosive salts, carcinogens, and elements. New York Wastewater was sent to one New York plant that discharges into Southern Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, and another plant that discharges into Owasco Outlet near Auburn. Hydrochloric Acid: Corrosive and can burn body tissue. Pennsylvania More than 1.3 billion 3. Fracking fluid can leak into underground aquifers or spill from open pipes or transport vehicles into local gallons of wastewater have been produced in Pennsylvania in the last three years. Treatment plants discharged wastewater into the state's major river basins, including the Susquehanna River, which feeds into Chesapeake Bay and supplies water for more than 6 million реople. Potassium Hydroxide: Severe burn to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. water sources. Texas Monoethanolamine: Severe eye and lung 4 Wastewater can sometimes be taken to sewage plants that aren't designed A hospital system in six Texas counties with the heaviest drilling recorded a 25% asthma rate for young children, more than triple the state rate. treat it. irritant. Acetic Anhydride: Severe eye and skin irritant. Contaminated wastewater is then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water. Propagyl Alcohol: Damages eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. KABOOM! O HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS 4 The deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., last September brought aging natural gas pipelines into focus. Although it's cleaner than coal or oil combustion, natural gas combustion still emits hazardous gases. Danger Underfoot a Pollutant Oil Сoal Natural Gas The U.S. has more than 2,000,000 miles of pipelines running through the " country, many in heavily populated areas. Carbon Dioxide 164,000 208,000 117,000 I More than 60% of the nation's gas pipelines are 40 years or older. Carbon Monoxide 33 208 40 More than 2,800 significant gas pipeline accidents have been recorded across the country since 1990. Nitrogen Oxides 448 457 92 Sulfur Dioxides 1,122 2,591 Checks and Balances O Only about 100 federal inspectors with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 1 Safety Administration are charged with ensuring compliance on the more than 2 million miles of pipeline. Particulates 84 2,744 7 Mercury 0.007 0.016 0.000 The system often relies on pipeline operators to survey their own gas lines and decide which are at risk. Fossit Fuel Emission Levels (Pounds Per Billion Btu of Energy Input LAND IMPACT The cost of replacing lengthy stretches of pipelines can exceed $30 million. 1 Industry watchdogs criticize utilities for not being willing to spend money to prevent aging pipeline accidents. Drilling and exploration can negatively impact wildlife, wilderness habitats, and public open spaces. Other negative land impacts associated with natural gas include: • EROSION • LOSS OF SOIL PRODUCTIVITY • FLOODING • INCREASED RUNOFFS • LANDSLIDES THE DECLINE OF OTHER ENERGY SOURCES Global natural gas production grew 44% between 1990 and 2010. Volatile oil prices coupled with the hangover from last year's massive BP spill have many thinking it's time to relieve America's dependence on oil-derived energy. 10% New EPA rules limiting carbon emissions would require costly investments to scrub emissions Though natural gas has a reputation as the greener fossil fuel, it's not entirely clean. Studies suggest that the country's rush to develop natural gas sources is likely to do more to heat up the planet -- thanks to the methane from coal-powered plants. Since the Fukushima disaster began, the price of uranium has dropped 30%. Since Fukushima, natural gas prices in Europe and the U.S. have risen 10%. released during extraction. RISE OF NATURAL GAS In the future, building a nuclear power plant will be prohibitively expensive. UNLIKELY FANS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OIL COMPANIES BARACK OBAМА Major oil companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, and Shell have started to buy up natural gas fields at a rapid pace. In 2010 Exxon purchased XTO Energy to become the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S Portrays natural gas as a clean and/or green energy source. Bullish on domestic natural gas production and natural gas powered Natural gas is an important transition or "bridge' fuel that burns much cleaner than coal. We should use more of it until truly clean energy sources like solar and wind become more widely available. vehicles. Counterpoint: The first studies of natural gas emissions over its entire production life cycle suggest that because of all the methane released during extraction, natural gas may actually do more to heat up the planet than mining and burning coal. Counterpoint: New research reduces the estimates of recoverable natural gas by a factor of 1000. Experts like oil geologist Jean Laherrere and natural gas expert Catherine Elder say although the resource is large, the amount of recoverable fuel is likely much smaller. Counterpoint: Methane is the chief component of natural gas and traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency recently doubled its estimates for the amount of methane vented or lost from natural gas distribution lines. Sources: Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, New York Times, MSNBC, NaturalGas.org, PowerScorecard.org 1BOG.org THE MANY DANGERS OF NATURAL GAS HOW NATURAL GAS BECOMES ELECTRICITY Gas is treated to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide hydrocarbons, and moisture. Natural gas is extracted from the earth. Extracted natural 2 gas is transported to gas plants to be refined. Pipelines transport treated gas from gas plants to power plants. Power plants use one of three common methods to generate electricity from the refined natural gas. 3 Beyond heating our houses and lighting our stoves, natural gas accounts for 23% OF OUR GRID POWER in the U.S. We use natural gas to generate electricity through several processes. STEAM TURBINES COMBUSTION TURBINES COMBINED CYCLE Gas is burned in a The exhaust from a hot combustion turbine is used to make steam to drive a turbine to Gas is burned and boiler to heat water and produce steam, which is then used by a steam turbine to generate electricity. pressurized in pipes to drive a turbine to generate electricity. generate electricity. ITS MANY DANGERS FRACKING HOT ZzONES Although natural gas is seen as the comparably safer and cleaner fossil fuel, it's not without drawbacks. Though many states are coping with the effects of nearty natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania arguably has it the worst. CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER O WHAT'S IN THE WATER? Hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new method of drilling for natural gas that has big environmental risks, particularly for drinking water. Here's how it happens: There are more than 50 known chemicals used in fracking. Some of the more toxic chemicals can cause severe discomfort, pain, or even death. West Virginia Gas-drilling wastewater is 1 "Hydrofracking" involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, into rock at discharged into the Ohio River from a plant in Wheeling. Methyl Alcohol: Drowsiness, vomiting. blurred vision, coma, and death. high pressures to release gas. Boric Acid: Drowsiness, low blood pressure, and sloughing of skin. A single well can produce more than 1 million gallons of wastewater that's often laced with corrosive salts, carcinogens, and elements. New York Wastewater was sent to one New York plant that discharges into Southern Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, and another plant that discharges into Owasco Outlet near Auburn. Hydrochloric Acid: Corrosive and can burn body tissue. Pennsylvania More than 1.3 billion 3. Fracking fluid can leak into underground aquifers or spill from open pipes or transport vehicles into local gallons of wastewater have been produced in Pennsylvania in the last three years. Treatment plants discharged wastewater into the state's major river basins, including the Susquehanna River, which feeds into Chesapeake Bay and supplies water for more than 6 million реople. Potassium Hydroxide: Severe burn to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. water sources. Texas Monoethanolamine: Severe eye and lung 4 Wastewater can sometimes be taken to sewage plants that aren't designed A hospital system in six Texas counties with the heaviest drilling recorded a 25% asthma rate for young children, more than triple the state rate. treat it. irritant. Acetic Anhydride: Severe eye and skin irritant. Contaminated wastewater is then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water. Propagyl Alcohol: Damages eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. KABOOM! O HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS 4 The deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., last September brought aging natural gas pipelines into focus. Although it's cleaner than coal or oil combustion, natural gas combustion still emits hazardous gases. Danger Underfoot a Pollutant Oil Сoal Natural Gas The U.S. has more than 2,000,000 miles of pipelines running through the " country, many in heavily populated areas. Carbon Dioxide 164,000 208,000 117,000 I More than 60% of the nation's gas pipelines are 40 years or older. Carbon Monoxide 33 208 40 More than 2,800 significant gas pipeline accidents have been recorded across the country since 1990. Nitrogen Oxides 448 457 92 Sulfur Dioxides 1,122 2,591 Checks and Balances O Only about 100 federal inspectors with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 1 Safety Administration are charged with ensuring compliance on the more than 2 million miles of pipeline. Particulates 84 2,744 7 Mercury 0.007 0.016 0.000 The system often relies on pipeline operators to survey their own gas lines and decide which are at risk. Fossit Fuel Emission Levels (Pounds Per Billion Btu of Energy Input LAND IMPACT The cost of replacing lengthy stretches of pipelines can exceed $30 million. 1 Industry watchdogs criticize utilities for not being willing to spend money to prevent aging pipeline accidents. Drilling and exploration can negatively impact wildlife, wilderness habitats, and public open spaces. Other negative land impacts associated with natural gas include: • EROSION • LOSS OF SOIL PRODUCTIVITY • FLOODING • INCREASED RUNOFFS • LANDSLIDES THE DECLINE OF OTHER ENERGY SOURCES Global natural gas production grew 44% between 1990 and 2010. Volatile oil prices coupled with the hangover from last year's massive BP spill have many thinking it's time to relieve America's dependence on oil-derived energy. 10% New EPA rules limiting carbon emissions would require costly investments to scrub emissions Though natural gas has a reputation as the greener fossil fuel, it's not entirely clean. Studies suggest that the country's rush to develop natural gas sources is likely to do more to heat up the planet -- thanks to the methane from coal-powered plants. Since the Fukushima disaster began, the price of uranium has dropped 30%. Since Fukushima, natural gas prices in Europe and the U.S. have risen 10%. released during extraction. RISE OF NATURAL GAS In the future, building a nuclear power plant will be prohibitively expensive. UNLIKELY FANS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OIL COMPANIES BARACK OBAМА Major oil companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, and Shell have started to buy up natural gas fields at a rapid pace. In 2010 Exxon purchased XTO Energy to become the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S Portrays natural gas as a clean and/or green energy source. Bullish on domestic natural gas production and natural gas powered Natural gas is an important transition or "bridge' fuel that burns much cleaner than coal. We should use more of it until truly clean energy sources like solar and wind become more widely available. vehicles. Counterpoint: The first studies of natural gas emissions over its entire production life cycle suggest that because of all the methane released during extraction, natural gas may actually do more to heat up the planet than mining and burning coal. Counterpoint: New research reduces the estimates of recoverable natural gas by a factor of 1000. Experts like oil geologist Jean Laherrere and natural gas expert Catherine Elder say although the resource is large, the amount of recoverable fuel is likely much smaller. Counterpoint: Methane is the chief component of natural gas and traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency recently doubled its estimates for the amount of methane vented or lost from natural gas distribution lines. Sources: Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, New York Times, MSNBC, NaturalGas.org, PowerScorecard.org 1BOG.org THE MANY DANGERS OF NATURAL GAS HOW NATURAL GAS BECOMES ELECTRICITY Gas is treated to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide, helium, carbon dioxide hydrocarbons, and moisture. Natural gas is extracted from the earth. Extracted natural 2 gas is transported to gas plants to be refined. Pipelines transport treated gas from gas plants to power plants. Power plants use one of three common methods to generate electricity from the refined natural gas. 3 Beyond heating our houses and lighting our stoves, natural gas accounts for 23% OF OUR GRID POWER in the U.S. We use natural gas to generate electricity through several processes. STEAM TURBINES COMBUSTION TURBINES COMBINED CYCLE Gas is burned in a The exhaust from a hot combustion turbine is used to make steam to drive a turbine to Gas is burned and boiler to heat water and produce steam, which is then used by a steam turbine to generate electricity. pressurized in pipes to drive a turbine to generate electricity. generate electricity. ITS MANY DANGERS FRACKING HOT ZzONES Although natural gas is seen as the comparably safer and cleaner fossil fuel, it's not without drawbacks. Though many states are coping with the effects of nearty natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania arguably has it the worst. CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER O WHAT'S IN THE WATER? Hydraulic fracturing is a relatively new method of drilling for natural gas that has big environmental risks, particularly for drinking water. Here's how it happens: There are more than 50 known chemicals used in fracking. Some of the more toxic chemicals can cause severe discomfort, pain, or even death. West Virginia Gas-drilling wastewater is 1 "Hydrofracking" involves injecting large volumes of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, into rock at discharged into the Ohio River from a plant in Wheeling. Methyl Alcohol: Drowsiness, vomiting. blurred vision, coma, and death. high pressures to release gas. Boric Acid: Drowsiness, low blood pressure, and sloughing of skin. A single well can produce more than 1 million gallons of wastewater that's often laced with corrosive salts, carcinogens, and elements. New York Wastewater was sent to one New York plant that discharges into Southern Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, and another plant that discharges into Owasco Outlet near Auburn. Hydrochloric Acid: Corrosive and can burn body tissue. Pennsylvania More than 1.3 billion 3. Fracking fluid can leak into underground aquifers or spill from open pipes or transport vehicles into local gallons of wastewater have been produced in Pennsylvania in the last three years. Treatment plants discharged wastewater into the state's major river basins, including the Susquehanna River, which feeds into Chesapeake Bay and supplies water for more than 6 million реople. Potassium Hydroxide: Severe burn to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. water sources. Texas Monoethanolamine: Severe eye and lung 4 Wastewater can sometimes be taken to sewage plants that aren't designed A hospital system in six Texas counties with the heaviest drilling recorded a 25% asthma rate for young children, more than triple the state rate. treat it. irritant. Acetic Anhydride: Severe eye and skin irritant. Contaminated wastewater is then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water. Propagyl Alcohol: Damages eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract. KABOOM! O HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS 4 The deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, Calif., last September brought aging natural gas pipelines into focus. Although it's cleaner than coal or oil combustion, natural gas combustion still emits hazardous gases. Danger Underfoot a Pollutant Oil Сoal Natural Gas The U.S. has more than 2,000,000 miles of pipelines running through the " country, many in heavily populated areas. Carbon Dioxide 164,000 208,000 117,000 I More than 60% of the nation's gas pipelines are 40 years or older. Carbon Monoxide 33 208 40 More than 2,800 significant gas pipeline accidents have been recorded across the country since 1990. Nitrogen Oxides 448 457 92 Sulfur Dioxides 1,122 2,591 Checks and Balances O Only about 100 federal inspectors with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 1 Safety Administration are charged with ensuring compliance on the more than 2 million miles of pipeline. Particulates 84 2,744 7 Mercury 0.007 0.016 0.000 The system often relies on pipeline operators to survey their own gas lines and decide which are at risk. Fossit Fuel Emission Levels (Pounds Per Billion Btu of Energy Input LAND IMPACT The cost of replacing lengthy stretches of pipelines can exceed $30 million. 1 Industry watchdogs criticize utilities for not being willing to spend money to prevent aging pipeline accidents. Drilling and exploration can negatively impact wildlife, wilderness habitats, and public open spaces. Other negative land impacts associated with natural gas include: • EROSION • LOSS OF SOIL PRODUCTIVITY • FLOODING • INCREASED RUNOFFS • LANDSLIDES THE DECLINE OF OTHER ENERGY SOURCES Global natural gas production grew 44% between 1990 and 2010. Volatile oil prices coupled with the hangover from last year's massive BP spill have many thinking it's time to relieve America's dependence on oil-derived energy. 10% New EPA rules limiting carbon emissions would require costly investments to scrub emissions Though natural gas has a reputation as the greener fossil fuel, it's not entirely clean. Studies suggest that the country's rush to develop natural gas sources is likely to do more to heat up the planet -- thanks to the methane from coal-powered plants. Since the Fukushima disaster began, the price of uranium has dropped 30%. Since Fukushima, natural gas prices in Europe and the U.S. have risen 10%. released during extraction. RISE OF NATURAL GAS In the future, building a nuclear power plant will be prohibitively expensive. UNLIKELY FANS ENVIRONMENTALISTS OIL COMPANIES BARACK OBAМА Major oil companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, and Shell have started to buy up natural gas fields at a rapid pace. In 2010 Exxon purchased XTO Energy to become the largest producer of natural gas in the U.S Portrays natural gas as a clean and/or green energy source. Bullish on domestic natural gas production and natural gas powered Natural gas is an important transition or "bridge' fuel that burns much cleaner than coal. We should use more of it until truly clean energy sources like solar and wind become more widely available. vehicles. Counterpoint: The first studies of natural gas emissions over its entire production life cycle suggest that because of all the methane released during extraction, natural gas may actually do more to heat up the planet than mining and burning coal. Counterpoint: New research reduces the estimates of recoverable natural gas by a factor of 1000. Experts like oil geologist Jean Laherrere and natural gas expert Catherine Elder say although the resource is large, the amount of recoverable fuel is likely much smaller. Counterpoint: Methane is the chief component of natural gas and traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency recently doubled its estimates for the amount of methane vented or lost from natural gas distribution lines. Sources: Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, New York Times, MSNBC, NaturalGas.org, PowerScorecard.org 1BOG.org