Fueling Progress: Natural Gas Innovations Driving Race to Net-Zero
Earth Day brings together people from all walks of life, backgrounds and beliefs unified to help raise awareness on the important issues impacting our environment. One of the most pressing of these issues is reducing emissions to fight climate change.
Natural gas plays an essential role in a net-zero emissions future. In fact, research indicates that incorporating natural gas, advanced gas technologies and infrastructure to achieve economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050 is not just a choice but an essential part of getting there.
With more than 2.6 million miles of natural gas pipelines in the United States, the natural gas delivery system functions as the largest battery on the planet. This is important because energy demand isn’t static throughout the year — the natural gas system delivers three times as much energy on the coldest day of the year as the electrical grid does on the hottest day. This means, an electrical grid with plenty of capacity for spring months might be totally inadequate for the depths of winter. The key attributes of the natural gas system are flexibility and energy storage, allowing the fuel to be stockpiled when not needed, and delivered on the days reliability matters most.
The natural gas industry has been pivotal in advancing a clean and sustainable energy future for our nation and helping customers and communities become more efficient. AGA members are investing billions in smart innovations that continue to drive emissions down, including $4.3 million per day in energy efficiency programs, which has saved nearly 2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas each year.
These programs help customers install tighter-fitting windows and doors, upgrade insulation and purchase increasingly more efficient natural gas appliances. Thanks to these advancements, natural gas utilities are serving a larger-than-ever customer base with less gas per household and 40-year lows in energy related carbon dioxide emissions. Customers can rest assured that they’re both saving money and personally contributing to climate solutions – a win-win for the climate and your family’s budget.
The dedication of the natural gas industry to investments in smart technologies and energy efficiency programs demonstrates the essential part natural gas plays in driving forward a clean and sustainable energy future. By empowering customers to make environmentally conscious choices while simultaneously reducing costs, natural gas utilities are not only contributing to global climate solutions but also fostering an efficient future for individuals and families – and helping to safeguard our planet for generations to come. As we celebrate Earth Day, it’s evident that natural gas is indispensable in advancing decarbonization.