WSJ: Despite Leaky Methane, is Natural Gas is Still Worth the Switch?
The U.S. is in a golden age for natural gas. Will leaky infrastructure bring it to an end?
A new report, issued today in Science, is the latest to tackle the difficult issue of how much gas – and its primary ingredient, methane – leaks into the atmosphere. This may seem a bit arcane, but it’s a critical issue for the future of the energy industry and the transportation sector as well.
Here’s a quick rundown: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, more potent than carbon dioxide. Natural gas has been on a roll in the past decade, as hydraulic fracturing has turned the U.S. from an energy pauper into a prince. Natural gas has grabbed market share from coal for power generation, making the U.S. economy less carbon intensive.
But if too much gas leaks into the atmosphere – from drilling pads, pipelines, machinery, etc. – that would negate its climate benefits. And who wants to get behind a cleaner energy source if it’s not really all that clean?