NATURAL GAS FACTS

Natural gas is one of the safest and most reliable energy sources available. Since natural gas is delivered to homes and businesses through a network of underground pipelines, it provides nearly 100% reliable service—even during emergencies, hurricanes, and power outages. In fact, after Hurricane Irma in 2017, it was reported that 6.7 million customers lost access to electricity, but only 300 lost access to natural gas.

Although natural gas is a premium fuel, it is also one of the lowest-cost energy sources available. From lower utility costs to energy conservation rebates, Florida’s natural gas utilities help consumers every day to reduce the installation, operating and maintenance costs of their natural gas equipment while using less energy AND……it’s better for the environment!! Floridians can contact their local natural gas utility to learn about any rebates or other special offers that may be available to their business, home, manufacturing plant, fleet, or municipality.

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is pipeline-compatible fuel derived from biogenic or other renewable sources that has lower lifecycle carbon dioxide equivalent emissions than geological natural gas. RNG can be produced from various waste streams including farms, landfills, and water resource recovery facilities or from renewable electricity. Today, these waste streams release methane into the atmosphere. By converting these waste streams to RNG, the methane is now consumed as energy rather than released into the atmosphere, helping to keep our planet clean.

Natural gas is an innovative energy source. For the end user, advantages include greater reliability and hurricane ready comfort, as well as substantial cost and energy savings—especially when used in business and industry. From using natural gas to generate electricity, to recycling waste into usable fuel with Renewable Natural Gas, to creating opportunities for agricultural businesses, natural gas is driving innovation and energy efficiency.

As America’s largest growing form of energy, natural gas has a wide range of applications. In the U.S., natural gas is most commonly used for heating, cooking, and power generation. Homes and businesses use natural gas for heat-intensive applications, such as water heating, cooking, clothes drying, grilling, pool/spa heating, and space heating.

Natural gas is America’s largest growing energy resource, powering Florida’s businesses, homes, and industries with limitless opportunities. Common industrial uses include manufacturing, agriculture, and standby generation. Unlike most fuels, natural gas can be used to meet virtually any energy need. There are natural gas applications that provide alternatives to electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, nuclear, solar and wind, gasoline and diesel.

Natural gas began forming millions of years ago from the remains of microscopic plants and animals deep beneath the earth’s surface. Today it’s usually found in deep underground rock formations. The U.S. has generations of natural gas around the country that Florida can access through the robust national pipeline system – with trillions of cubic feet of natural gas not yet discovered.

The U.S. has an estimated 3,368 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of technically recoverable natural gas resources. With an abundant supply and vast infrastructure, natural gas is available when you need it.

Natural gas is the earth’s cleanest fossil fuel. Natural gas is cleaner and more efficient than non-gas energy sources, resulting in smaller carbon footprints, reduced energy waste, and the conservation of valuable energy resources.