Should Natural Gas Be Banned?

The issue of a natural gas ban is certainly a hot topic issue in the USA and Canada that could affect millions of people. The entire premise behind this controversy stems from attempts to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and to improve public health.

Some feel very passionate that there are compelling reasons to eliminate natural gas (NG) as a heating and cooking fuel, while others have strong feelings about the importance of continuing the use of NG in our daily lives. In this article, we will provide information on both sides of the issue and let you come to your own conclusion.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCERNS

Natural gas is a fossil fuel. When burned in furnaces or boilers, the emissions from NG include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and trace amounts of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Of all these by-products from combustion, methane gas has the most potential for contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Some research has also indicated that gas cooking stoves may leak very small traces of methane gas, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.

Because of these concerns, cities such as Berkeley, California became the first to ban natural gas-powered space and water heating for new construction. But that ban was declared illegal by the Court of Appeals in San Francisco in April 2023. Such a ban is preempted by a federal law.

New York has banned NG furnaces and stoves in new construction. Washington and other states, as well as several major cities, are poised to follow suit. In Canada, Montreal, Vancouver, and some other smaller municipalities have considered banning this source of energy.

POINT – COUNTERPOINT

Those in favor of the natural gas ban say that:

  • Unburned methane gas directly contributes to the greenhouse gas effect.
  • Cooking on gas stoves could emit hazardous pollutants.
  • Public safety, health concerns and indoor air quality issues should be priority #1.
  • Extracting NG by fracking causes environmental damage.
  • Natural gas is a flammable and combustible fuel.

It’s a fact that NG’s carbon emissions are much lower than those of other fossil fuels. Natural gas is known to burn the cleanest of all fossil fuels. Many consider NG a “bridging fuel”, because it fills the gap between eliminating larger fossil fuel plants and developing and growing renewable energy on a larger scale. It is also a fact that Renewable Natural Gas has entered the pipelines in multiple regions and its production is increasing every year.

Critics of the move to phase out natural gas appliances argue that:

  • Homeowners should have the freedom to choose what source of energy they want to use.
  • If electricity is the only choice, energy and manufacturing costs will skyrocket.
  • Annual inflation would dramatically increase with only one energy option.
  • NG is abundant and safe to store and transport.
  • There isn’t enough electricity generated to support future demand and population growth.
  • Natural gas is a green option versus power plants using coal and nuclear energy.
  • Costs to convert from NG to other fuel options will be out of reach for many.

In addition to this, the natural gas industry invests billions of dollars into infrastructure upgrades and energy efficiency every year! This effort has reduced emissions from the natural gas distribution system by 69% since 1990. The natural gas industry continues to make a huge commitment regarding climate change.

THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF NATURAL GAS

Global demand for gas as an energy source is increasing, and it’s important to note that there are other forms of natural gas. Natural gas can be used in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). It’s a vital international commodity that’s increasing the quality of life for millions around the globe. Exporting NG is at an all-time high.

LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, about -260° Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage. The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state. LNG can be stored in tanks, shipped or transported in pipelines.

A relative of natural gas, LPG is produced in natural gas processing plants and in petroleum refineries by heating and distilling crude oil. Liquidity is the distinctive characteristic that makes LPG so widely used and popular. At normal temperatures and pressures, LPG is gaseous. But, when put under modest pressure or cooling, it changes to a liquid state.

LPG is used on all six continents and by more than 3 billion, yes billion, people around the world! LPG is mainly used for heating, commercial applications, cooking, recreation, cooling and transportation.

Should Natural Gas Be Banned_ - cooking a gas stove

Renewable compressed natural gas (RNG) is a transportation fuel made from organic waste, including animal waste, crop residue and food waste. Note that RNG is not a fossil fuel. It’s a zero emissions solution that has been certified by the EPA! Since it’s estimated that 28% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are from the transportation industry, RNG is, and will continue to be, an important commodity.

OTHER POINTS TO PONDER…

  1. Nearly 187 million Americans and 27 million Canadians use natural gas every day because it is affordable, reliable, safe and essential to improving our environment. These customers rely on natural gas to heat their homes, warm their water and cook their food. Those numbers are on the rise every year, making natural gas an indispensable part of our lifestyle.
  2. Emissions from natural gas distribution systems have dropped 69% since 1990. Natural gas utilities are committed to reducing greenhouse gases even more. Not only are utilities cutting emissions from their operations, but they are also working hand in hand with their customers, helping shrink their carbon footprints and reduce their impact on the environment.
  3. Any form of natural gas helps fuel our economy in many ways. It provides good-paying jobs to hard-working men and women. In the USA and Canada, more than 4.1 million jobs are connected to the gas industry in one way or another.
  4. Natural gas powers industrial, manufacturing and food processing. It helps heat and dry materials, generates electricity, heats millions of homes and serves as a key component to many essential products and services that we enjoy daily.
  5. Natural or LP gas can be a life saver by supplying the fuel for emergency generators, cooking and water heating in the event of an electrical outage. Give some thought to these real-life emergencies:
    • In February of 2021, over 5 million people in Texas were without power because of severe winter storms. The loss of lives from the storm was reported to be 246 people in 77 counties.
    • In April of 2023 over 1.1 million people in Montreal had no electricity following a severe ice storm. Those with gas fireplaces and free-standing gas stoves were able to cope much better with the emergency by providing heat to their homes. Most were able to stay home and suffered no serious damage from the frigid temperatures.
    • During a heat wave in the summer of 2023, Exel Energy in Denver locked the thermostats of thousands of homes at 78˚F, because the demand exceeded the supply. In California, rolling blackouts have been happening in some of its regions, because there isn’t enough electricity produced for the peak demands.
    • Rolling blackouts are normal and quite common in developing countries. Could the frequency increase here? Imagine what could happen if utilities could not rely on natural gas generating stations during times of peak electric demands.

In light of this information, it seems the advantages of natural gas remain very strong in a balanced approach to energy. Natural gas helps to keep energy costs manageable for homeowners. It helps to keep electricity affordable too, by alleviating the pressure of producing more.

Natural gas is a reliable and abundant fuel with very low carbon emissions. Wisdom and common sense should tell us not to put all of our eggs in a single basket.

WHAT ABOUT A GAS FIREPLACE OR STOVE?

So, what about my gas fireplace, insert or that free-standing gas stove in the family room? Are these appliances leaking methane into the air or causing greenhouse gases? Should I be concerned about my family’s health? The answer is an emphatic no!

Since the volume of gas these appliances use is very small and because most of them are sealed units with all combustion air coming from the outside, there is very little, if any, risk of any air quality issues.

Having a gas fireplace as a backup when there is a blackout is handy. But isn’t there something about a fireplace and creating the best memories? Fireplaces have been the focal point of our homes for centuries. It adds the ambiance and the warmth that no heat pump or electric baseboard heater can provide.

We all need enjoyment in our busy lives too. WE LOVE FIRE® is who we are. Our passion for comfort, joy and peace is all gathered around a beautiful fire.

These links are provided as resources for additional information.

American Gas Association

Canadian Gas Association

Energy Policy Tracker – USA

Energy Policy Tracker – Canada

Environmental Protection Agency

Gas Technology Institute

Natural Resources Defense Council

Union of Concerned Scientists

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service ()

Auburn, AL

Top Hat Chimney Sweeps
1280 Financial Ct.
Auburn, AL 36830

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Elk Grove, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
9097 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

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Sacramento, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
5455 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841

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Durango, CO

Durango Outdoor Living
140 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301

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Durango, CO

Four Corner Stoves & Spas
3001 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

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Grand Junction, CO

Stove Depot and Chimney Works
330 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

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New London, CT

Family Hearth and Patio LLC
571 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320

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Ridgefield, CT

Yankee Doodle, Inc.
71 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT 06877

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Dover, DE

Byler's Stove Shoppe Inc.
1368b Rose Valley School Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

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Destin, FL

Doodlebuggers Service Network
36054 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541

Bettendorf, IA

Fireplaces Plus, Inc.
1745 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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Post Falls, ID

Quality Stoves & Home Furnishings
569 N Syringa St
Post Falls, ID 83854

Rockford, IL

Advanced Chimney Systems, Inc.
3486 Lonergan Drive
Rockford, IL 61109

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Wauconda, IL

Grass Roots Energy, Inc.
28751 N Route 12
Wauconda, IL 60084

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Evansville, IN

Firemaster, Inc.
5300 E Morgan Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715

Jeffersonville, IN

Olde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales
915 Nachand Ln
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

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Overland Park, KS

Kansas City Fireplace Center
10470 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212

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Erlanger, KY

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC
3511 Dixie Highway
Erlanger, KY 41018

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Littleton, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
60 White Street
Littleton, MA 01460

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Seekonk, MA

The Fireplace Showcase
775 Fall River Ave
Seekonk, MA 02771

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Sudbury, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
348 Boston Post Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

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Duluth, MN

Duluth Stove & Fireplace
2431 W Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55806

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Minneapolis, MN

Woodland Stoves & Fireplaces
2901 Franklin Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Oakdale, MN

Energy Savers of Minnesota
6298 Highway 36 Blvd N
Oakdale, MN 55128

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Rochester, MN

Brekke Fireplace Shoppe
1904 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904

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Walker, MN

Wilkening Fireplace Company
9608 State 371 NW
Walker, MN 56484

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Fargo, ND

Home Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc.
701 28th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103

Omaha, NE

Fireplace By Design
13913 R Plaza
Omaha, NE 68137

Epping, NH

The Stove Shoppe
285, Calef Highway Rte. 125
Epping, NH 03042

Windham, NH

The Stove Shoppe
25 Indian Rock Road
Windham, NH 03087

Hamilton, NJ

Bowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home
1731 Nottingham Way
Hamilton, NJ 08619

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Voorhees, NJ

Rettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc.
476 Centennial Blvd
Voorhees, NJ 08043

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St. Henry, OH

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc.
541 N Eastern Avenue
St. Henry, OH 45883

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Media, PA

Chimney Cricket
101 State Road
Media, PA 19063

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Rapid City, SD

Hebron Brick Company
1543 Deadwood Ave
Rapid City, SD 57709

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Sioux Falls, SD

Hebron Brick Company
2211 W. 50th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525

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Vermillion, SD

Kalin's Indoor Comfort Inc.
710 Cottage Avenue
Vermillion, SD 57069

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Manassas, VA

Winston's Chimney Service
11301 Industrial Road
Manassas, VA 20109

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Barre, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10
Barre, VT 05641-2317

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Bennington, VT

Friends of The Sun
126 Hicks Avenue
Bennington, VT 05201

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Manchester, VT

Friends of The Sun
159 Depot Street
Manchester, VT 05255

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Shelburne, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
3113 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT 05482

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White River Jnct, VT

Home Comfort of New England
1255 VA Cut Off Road
White River Jnct, VT 05001

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Burlington, WI

Burlington Fireplace & Heating LLC
857 Milwaukee Ave.
Burlington, WI 53105

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Madison, WI

Top Hat
5117 Verona Rd
Madison, WI 53711

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Morgantown, WV

Rustic By Design
709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15
Morgantown, WV 26505

Laramie, WY

High Country Stoves & Fireplaces
860 N. 3rd Street
Laramie, WY 82072


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

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