When chilled to very cold temperatures, approximately -260 degrees Fahrenheit, natural gas changes into a liquid and can be stored in this form. For more on how this is done and a look at a natural gas storage plant, check out Cove Point . Approximately 23 percent of the energy consumption of the U.S. comes from natural gas. Over one-half of the homes in the U.S. are heated by natural gas. We also get propane , a fuel we use in many of our backyard barbecue grills, when we process natural gas.
Industry depends on it.
Natural gas has thousands of uses. Homes use it too. More than 61 million homes use natural gas to fuel stoves, furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers and other household appliances. It is also used to roast coffee, smoke meats, bake bread and much more. By this we mean it produces relatively few pollutants, so the air inside and outside stays clean.