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Fossil Fuels: Natural Gas
Natural gas is a combustible, gaseous mixture of simple hydrocarbon compounds, usually found in deep underground reservoirs formed by porous rock. Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed almost entirely of methane, but does contain small amounts of other gases, including ethane, propane, butane and pentane.
Natural gas is used residentially, commercially and industrially. Over half of the homes in the US use natural gas for home heating. Natural gas is odorless and tasteless so natural gas companies add a sulfur smell to it for safety.
The first use of gas energy in the United States occurred in 1816 in Baltimore Maryland when streetlights were lit with natural gas
Natural gas is used as a raw material for fertilizer, medication, paint, dyes, film, plastics, antifreeze, explosives and other common products. Natural gas has fewer emissions when burned than other fossil fuels. Because it is a cleaner fuel its popularity has grown in the last few years causing the US to import natural gas from Canada and Mexico. The US has a good infrastructure for natural gas distribution and this also adds to its popularity. There are some environmental concerns with natural gas, most importantly the emission of carbon dioxide. The drilling for, storage and transportation of natural gas can negatively affect the environment.
Another concern is the notion of "Peak Natural Gas". Peak refers to the point where 50-55% of the resource has been depleted and has reached maximum production. When this happens production will start to decline. U.S. natural gas production peaked in the 1970's and today only about half as much natural gas is produced as was produced three decades ago. Canadian natural gas peaked in 2001. Because the demand is higher than the supply natural gas prices have risen roughly 400% since 2000.
Because of the issues of emissions, declining supply, and negative environmental impact natural gas will soon need to be replaced with energy from a renewable source.
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