Natural Gas Facts
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed primarily of methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas. It is commonly used in homes for heating and cooking. While it is cleaner than coal or oil, burning natural gas releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), contributing to climate change.
Is natural gas dangerous?
Yes - burning natural gas releases pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) that cause preventable diseases. Children in homes with gas stoves have a 42% increased risk of asthma.
My gas flame is blue - is it clean?
No - while a blue flame indicates most of the fuel is being burned by your appliance, burning fossil fuels always generates harmful air pollution.
Is natural gas more reliable during power outages?
Most natural gas space and water heaters do not work without electricity. During a power outage, houses with gas appliances are not more reliable than all-electric homes.
Isn’t gas cheaper than electricity?
Cascade Natural Gas, Bend’s utility, is currently proposing a 17.4% increase in residential gas bills. Meanwhile, new all-electric homes cost $1,600 less to build than homes with gas and save an average of $192 annually on energy bills.
What about renewable natural gas (RNG)?
Renewable Natural Gas is methane captured from organic waste. At most, RNG can only fill 16% of current gas demand at a median cost 5x higher than conventional natural gas.