How Green is Natural Gas?

A recent Cornell study concludes that electicity produced from natural gas fired turbines is far more carbon intensive than previously thought; even greater than coal.  The study whose principal author is Robert Howarth uncovers some of the previously undistinguished leaks in the natural gas production system.  

First energy is expended to begin producing energy.  Geological surveys, geophysical work, drilling and getting a borehole production ready all consume energy.  With natural gas production wells need to be vented (and the excess gas is burned most of the time), there are numerous leaks through the pipeline delivery system, and well fracking all add to carbon emissions.    

Here is an example of a horizontally drilled well into shale that can produce shale gas after fracking (high pressure fluids, sand and ceramics are pumped down hole to crack the shale and keep it propped open).

Most troubling is natural gas leaks are methane, which is much more powerful at generating the greenhouse effect than straight carbon dioxide (which is produced after methane is burned.

This is also related to methane production as a result of cows (how can I put this delicately?) farting all day long out in pastures around the world.  Cows generate 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions.  We could all do ourselves a favor and begin to cut back on animal based protein as part of the quest to reduce waistlines and reduce our effects on global warming.

Interestingly, the China Study by another Cornell researcher T. Colin Campbell points to the deleterious effects of animal protein on human health.    So, the conclusion here is eat veggies, carpool and try not to fart too much.