In many ways, natural gas is the ideal energy source for the developing world. It is relatively abundant, comparatively inexpensive and the cleanest burning fossil fuel, with virtually no sulfur emissions, very low particulate emissions and half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal. Because natural gas burns cleanly, its use can be an effective means of reducing pollution. Unocal is also one of the world's leading producers of geothermal energy, with major projects in the Philippines and Indonesia. Geothermal is a renewable energy source that offers clear environmental advantages over fossil fuels in the generation of electricity.
Geothermal emissions consist mostly of water vapor and very little carbon dioxide.
The chart shows releases and off-site transfers by Unocal facilities subject to TRI reporting requirements. The total amounts are dramatically reduced from previous years, due to the sale of our refining and marketing operations to Tosco Corporation early in 1997. The Kenai facility has successively reduced its ammonia emissions over the years, from more than 18 million pounds in 1989, to less than 4 million pounds in 1997. Two new ammonia flares and two new water scrubbers were installed in 1997, which reduced ammonia emissions by another 26 percent from 1996. Another significant TRI contributor is the Mountain Pass rare earths mine.