The REAL Cost of Gas

Picture courtesy of Jemena

Is Natural Gas Safe?

Natural gas has the best safety and reliability record of all traditional energy sources. In addition, the dedicated efforts of natural gas utilities over the past three decades have led to an approximately 40 percent decline in pipeline incidents over the past 10 years.

Typically, natural gas that accidentally escapes in the open will dissipate harmlessly into the air. Natural Gas is lighter than air, so it dissipates quickly. However, when a gas and air mixture within the flammability range collects in a confined space, it can ignite. Because natural gas in its raw state has no smell or color, we add the "rotten egg" odor to make you aware if natural gas is leaking. If you smell gas leave the area immediately and call your energy retailer. They will send a trained technician to investigate.

Is Natural Gas Efficient?

Natural gas is efficient because:

• It’s easy to transport and little is lost while being delivered to the end user.

• It’s easy to store.

• New technologies are improving efficiency.

• Excess renewable electricity can be converted to natural gas, which can be stored until needed.

• Natural gas is a more efficient fuel source for many applications.

Natural Gas and Electricity

Electricity is generated from different sources, such as coal, nuclear power, solar, etc. The environmental impact depends on how it’s generated. Presently, about 18% of Australia's electricity is generated by natural gas. So when we use electricity, we’re also using another form of energy. When you use natural gas for heating, cooking, etc., there is no secondary energy source used.

As natural gas is transported through a system of pipelines, 92 percent is delivered as energy after transmission, with only an eight percent energy loss.

Electricity, on the other hand, isn't nearly as efficient — it loses power as it travels over distance, so only 26 to 38 percent of the power remains by the time it reaches your home or business. Because most of our solar fields, wind farms and power plants aren't located near where people live, we need to generate a lot more electricity to make up for the power that's lost over transmission lines.