Natural gas’s environmental impact can be viewed in a positive light as a lower-emitting power generation source than coal or petroleum derivatives, or in a negative light as a source of methane emissions and driver of drilling activity. The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund and nine natural gas… Keep reading →
A debate over the greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits associated with burning natural gas versus coal to generate power began in 2010 when a Cornell University professor published a paper addressing methane leakage – methane being a potent greenhouse gas – from natural gas development. The paper found methane emissions at levels that would make… Keep reading →
NETL has stated nothing of concern has thus far been found for preliminary results of its ongoing hydraulic fracturing study at Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale. On July 19, 2013, the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) released a preliminary statement of its ongoing hydraulic fracturing study at two Pennsylvania drilling sites. NETL stated that… Keep reading →
Methane leakage – specifically its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions – has made headlines in the news as a potential downside to the US natural gas boom. While much of the attention has been focused on the gas production process, leakage at the regulated natural gas transmission and distribution level also has the potential to raise… Keep reading →
