New developments in efficient gas heating, atmosphere generation, cooling, cogeneration, combined cycle electricity production, and as a vehicle fuel are some of the areas where natural gas has been proven to be a practical, and often superior option in the competitive energy marketplace. Natural gas can virtually eliminate pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, reactive hydrocarbons and particulates. It can substantially reduce carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides. Experts have conservatively estimated that in the U.S., conventional natural gas resources at present levels of consumption will last another fifty years or more. Technology is poised to extract natural gas from non-conventional sources which will expand these estimates.
Natural gas is a renewable resource.
In nature, it is produced by anaerobic microorganisms, which ingest biomass and give off methane within 30 days. This process can be utilized to manufacture methane from manure, sewage, garbage, plant residues, and energy crops. Millions of peasants in China and India are already benefiting from this ecologically beneficial technology. Compressed natural gas is an excellent vehicular fuel. It minimizes air pollution.