Climate change is among the most significant challenges facing the world today. To reduce the harmful greenhouse gas emissions impacting our environment, America’s energy sector has engaged a multi-faceted approach.

Among the solutions for achieving our lofty net-zero emissions goals is to leverage natural gas and the infrastructure that delivers it. Natural gas is good for clean energy. It stabilizes our electrical grid, facilitates the emergence of alternative renewable energy sources, and makes possible the expanded use of RNG and hydrogen. In addition, the natural gas industry has invested billions of dollars to upgrade pipelines and drastically reduce leaks and other emissions.

In this post, we’ll expand on the featured highlights of an AGA research study that explored the potential of the American natural gas industry to support and advance our nation’s emission reduction goals. With natural gas on our side, we can achieve a net-zero emissions future together.

The unique advantages of gas technologies and distribution infrastructure

Unlike other sustainable energy sources that require massive capital investment to implement, America’s vast natural gas pipeline network is already in place and ready to distribute renewables and low-carbon gases to businesses and homes across the country.

When adding RNG to the energy mix is as simple as connecting biomass or hydrogen sources to the distribution system, taking advantage of this existing infrastructure to decarbonize energy pipelines is one of the clearest and quickest pathways to move us closer to net-zero emissions. 

Natural gas is an ideal store of energy

The ability of natural gas infrastructure to store and transport large amounts of energy for seasonal and peak day energy use is a critical resource in the pursuit of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals. This is made possible by its gaseous state, allowing for compression into smaller volumes. 

Natural gas can not only be stored in tanks, but also underground in depleted reservoirs, aquifers, and salt caverns, which maintain pressure while preventing gas escape. When liquefied into LNG, transportation to destinations not connected to the pipeline is enabled. 

This adaptability helps ensure a stable energy supply and balances demand fluctuations​. Flexible, dispatchable power, effectively complements renewable energy sources that often produce electricity intermittently. While renewables absolutely belong in our energy mix, their variable output must be mitigated with more stable energy sources, such as abundant natural gas. As a domestic fuel, natural gas is particularly important for serving this purpose in the United States.

Potential for further developments in energy efficiency

Efficiency gains in the natural gas sector are driving annual reductions in emissions even as more customers are added to the system. Some of the key drivers making headway in emission reduction through efficiency include:

  • Expanding utility-sponsored energy savings and efficiency programs
  • Upgrades to high-efficiency natural gas appliances and equipment
  • Introduction of smart thermostats to reduce consumption while maintaining desired temperature levels
  • Improved building envelopes includes better insulation, tighter air sealing, passive design and the use of sustainable materials
  • Cogeneration – combined heat and power (CHP)
  • Leverage tools such as methane reduction technology

The natural gas industry leads the way in carbon capture and sequestration

Investments in advanced pipeline replacement and repair is just the beginning for the natural gas industry. Innovation in negative emission technologies can actively remove carbon from the atmosphere to further expedite emission reductions. 

Explore gas utility pathways to achieving net-zero emissions

Learn more about the opportunity for gas utilities to contribute towards America’s net-zero emissions future by reading the full American Gas Association study

Note that supportive policies and open-minded regulatory approaches will be essential for natural gas utilities to implement the strategies necessary to best help America achieve net-zero emissions. Government and private entities at all levels, from local to national, need to get behind the natural gas industry and see the bigger picture that reaching net-zero requires a broad energy mix.y.