Is Natural Gas Safe?
5 minute readNatural gas is a widely used energy source that offers high efficiency, affordability, and lower emissions compared to other fossil fuels, making it one of the safer energy options.
Environmental Impact of Natural Gas
Natural gas offers a lower-emission alternative to coal and oil
5 minute read • Last update May 2025
Natural gas plays a pivotal role in the current energy mix, offering a unique balance between reliability, affordability, and lower emissions compared to other fossil fuels. But as conversations around climate change and decarbonization intensify, it’s critical to examine the environmental impact of natural gas across its lifecycle. This includes extraction, transportation, combustion, and its role in the broader energy transition.
Energy-related natural gas carbon dioxide emissions
Carbon dioxide contributes to the warming of the atmosphere, and human energy consumption is increasing annually. How does natural gas fit into the mix?
Data released in 2024 by the Global Carbon Budget and Our World in Data reveals the following about carbon dioxide emissions from 2023.
- Total global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions: 37.79 billion tonnes
- Global natural gas carbon dioxide emissions: 7.9 billion tonnes
- Global oil carbon dioxide emissions: 12.21 billion tonnes
- Global coal carbon dioxide emissions: 15.40 billion tonnes
- United States natural gas carbon dioxide emissions: 1.76 billion tonnes
- United States oil carbon dioxide emissions: 2.25 billion tonnes
- United States coal carbon dioxide emissions: 776.77 million tonnes
Natural gas environmental impact compared to other fuels
Air quality, water use, and land impact of natural gas
Natural gas is often touted as a cleaner-burning fossil fuel, and with good reason. It emits fewer harmful pollutants than coal or oil, significantly improving local air quality by releasing less sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. This translates to reduced smog and respiratory health risks in populated areas.
Water use and land impact, however, are more complex. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a common method of natural gas extraction, requires substantial water inputs and can disrupt surrounding ecosystems.
Poorly managed operations may lead to surface or groundwater contamination. Land use impacts are also notable, as drilling pads, pipelines, and access roads fragment habitats and alter natural landscapes.
Carbon intensity benchmarks
When burned for energy, natural gas emits about 50-60% less CO2 than coal and 20-30% less than oil. This lower carbon intensity gives it a clear advantage in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and industrial processes.
However, carbon dioxide is only part of the equation—methane (CH4), the primary component of natural gas, is a far more potent greenhouse gas when released unburned.
Natural gas as a cleaner-burning bridge fuel
In the context of energy transition, natural gas is often described as a bridge fuel—an interim solution that enables a gradual shift from high-emission fossil fuels to low-carbon and renewable energy sources.
Its dispatchability (ability to provide power on demand) makes it an ideal complement to variable renewable sources like wind and solar, helping maintain grid stability while decarbonization efforts scale.
Is natural gas harmful to the environment?
Common concerns around the extraction and distribution of natural gas
Natural gas extraction and distribution present some environmental risks. Among them are methane leaks from wells, pipelines, and storage facilities. Methane is more than 80 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2 over a 20-year period.
Additionally, habitat disruption and emissions from associated equipment contribute to localized environmental degradation.
Natural gas safety and containment improvements
Despite these concerns, advancements in monitoring technology, leak detection, and regulatory oversight have significantly improved the environmental safety of natural gas operations.
Optical gas imaging, aerial surveillance, and real-time monitoring have enabled operators to quickly detect and repair leaks. Updated well casing standards and better wastewater management practices are reducing contamination risks.
Consumer-level risk vs. systemic environmental impact
At the consumer level, natural gas is very safe when proper infrastructure and maintenance are in place. Most residential incidents stem from aging appliances or poorly installed systems, not the gas itself.
That said, the broader environmental impact is determined upstream, during production and distribution, highlighting the need for responsible industry practices and regulatory enforcement.
Burning natural gas and its emissions profile
What happens when natural gas is burned
When natural gas combusts, it primarily produces carbon dioxide and water vapor. The combustion process is efficient and generates fewer air pollutants than coal or oil. This makes natural gas a preferred option for heating, electricity generation, and even transportation in some sectors.
Emissions compared to coal and oil
Natural gas combustion produces roughly half the CO2 emissions of coal per unit of energy and about 25-30% less than petroleum-based fuels. It also releases significantly lower levels of harmful pollutants, contributing to better air quality in urban areas.
These reductions are particularly beneficial in regions like Texas, where population growth and industrial activity elevate air quality challenges.
Methane leakage: a hidden variable in the emissions equation
While combustion emissions are relatively low, methane leakage throughout the natural gas value chain can offset its climate benefits. Studies estimate global methane leakage rates between 1-3%. Minimizing these losses through infrastructure modernization, better oversight, and stricter emissions reporting is essential to preserve the climate advantage of natural gas.
Is natural gas a fossil fuel?
What classifies a fuel as “fossil”
Yes, natural gas is a fossil fuel. Fossil fuels are energy sources derived from the ancient remains of plants and animals buried under layers of sediment and rock for millions of years. Natural gas fits this definition, alongside coal and crude oil. It is a non-renewable resource with finite reserves and environmental costs associated with extraction and use.
How natural gas forms and where it comes from
Natural gas forms from the decomposition of organic material subjected to intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth. It is typically extracted from underground rock formations, including shale basins and sandstone reservoirs.
In Texas, major production occurs in the Permian Basin, the Eagle Ford Shale, and the Barnett Shale.
Why natural gas is crucial to the energy transition
Supporting grid reliability while renewables scale
Renewable energy sources are intermittent by nature—solar power isn’t available at night, and wind generation varies with weather.
Natural gas plants can ramp up quickly to fill these gaps, ensuring a consistent electricity supply and preventing blackouts during periods of high demand or low renewable output.
Natural gas and backup generation capacity
In emergency situations, such as winter storms or heat waves, natural gas plays a vital role in keeping the grid operational.
It serves as a dependable backup generation source when other systems fail. This reliability is critical for states like Texas, where extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense.
Why it’s still relevant for Texas electricity consumers
Texas consumers value reliability and affordability in their energy choices. Natural gas remains one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity in the state and is deeply integrated into Texas’ grid infrastructure. Its continued use, alongside a growing share of renewables, helps ensure stability and competitive prices.
What this means for Texas homeowners and renters
Balancing reliability, cost, and environmental concerns
For homeowners and renters in Texas, the decision to support or rely on natural gas involves tradeoffs.
On one hand, it offers consistent service and affordability; on the other, its environmental impact, particularly around methane leakage, cannot be ignored. Informed decision-making requires understanding both sides of the equation.
How informed consumers shape a cleaner future
By staying informed about energy sources, technologies, and provider practices, Texas residents can influence the direction of the state’s energy future. Advocating for transparency, accountability, and emissions reductions in the natural gas industry is key to making progress without sacrificing reliability.
Choosing energy providers that offer transparent options and education
Not all energy providers are created equal. Some prioritize transparency, education, and sustainable practices. BKV Energy is committed to helping customers make informed choices by providing clear, accessible information on energy options, including the role and impact of natural gas.
That level of clarity empowers Texans to balance environmental values with practical energy needs. Check out our electricity plans by entering your zip code below and see how BKV Energy delivers on its promise of simple, honest electricity.
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