Earth Equity News

Expanded Use of Natural Gas Urged for Near-Term Reduction in Emissions. Commentary by John Podesta and Timothy Wirth, Center for American Progress, August 10, 2009. "Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel -- it produces less than half as much carbon pollution as coal. Recent technology advancements make affordable the development of unconventional natural gas resources. This creates an unprecedented opportunity to use gas as a bridge fuel to a 21st-century energy economy that relies on efficiency, renewable sources, and low-carbon fossil fuels such as natural gas. Despite the potential energy, economic, and security benefits of natural gas, the recently House-passed American Clean Energy and Security Act, H.R. 2454, does not include enough opportunities to expand its use. The Center for American Progress and the Energy Future Coalition therefore propose a number of policies [Natural Gas: A Bridge Fuel for the 21^st Century, PDF, 11 pp] that would increase the use of natural gas [in transportation and power plants]."