Natural gas has been used as a domestic and industrial fuel source for over a century. It contains more energy per pound than coal. When burned, it produces almost none of the mercury, sulfur dioxide, and particulates that burning coal produces, nor does it require destructive mountain-top mining and other approaches inherent in coal production. As a cleaner source of energy, and as a bridge to a carbon constrained future, natural gas has many desirable qualities. Despite these benefits, more research is needed to assess the mechanisms of water contamination and possible methane losses to the atmosphere. Moreover, some additional oversight may be needed to protect communities and the environment from water contamination near extraction and disposal sites. The research and policy recommendations presented here are provided in the spirit of making natural-gas extraction safer and more consistent across companies, locations, and time.
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Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-