To the naked eye, there is nothing out of the ordinary at the DCP Pegasus gas processing plant in West Texas, one of the thousands of installations in the vast Permian Basin that have transformed America into the largest oil and gas producer in the world. But a highly specialized camera sees what the human eye cannot: a major release of methane, the main component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas that is helping to warm the planet at an alarming rate.
Top US Climate Problem
Cornell University’s Dr. Robert Howarth says methane leakage from the natural gas industry — and from fracking in particular — is the top driver of US greenhouse gas emissions. See a video, written testimony and a PowerPoint from Howarth. Howarth gives an excellent 3-minute summary in this video.
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The False Promise of Natural Gas — New England Journal of Medicine
Natural gas, composed principally of methane, has been hailed as a clean “transition” fuel … But beneath this rosy narrative lies a more complex story. Gas is associated with health and environmental hazards and reduced social welfare at every stage of its life cycle.
A warning for NC on the climate cost of natural gas — Editorial
From the editorial boards of the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer. It sounded good a few years ago: natural gas, cleaner than coal and better for the environment. But now burning more natural gas is sounding like the wrong turn at the wrong time.
Duke scientist: Stop building natural gas infrastructure now — WRAL
A climate scientist at Duke University, in a letter backed by two dozen former officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, called Thursday for a halt to natural gas development in North Carolina.
Experts’ Letter Asks Gov. To Halt Construction Of New Gas Plants And Pipelines — WFAE
A Duke University climate scientist and 27 former federal environmental officials are calling on Gov. Roy Cooper to order a halt on building new gas pipelines and power plants in North Carolina.
Duke climatologist seeks a halt on gas-fired power plants, Atlantic Coast Pipeline — News & Observer
One of the world’s leading climate scientists said the state’s long-range clean energy plan doesn’t go far enough to curb a potent greenhouse gas. In a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper dated Thursday, Drew Shindell, Nicholas Professor of Earth Science at Duke University, takes aim at methane, a gas more efficient than carbon dioxide at holding heat.
Top Climate Expert Says Stop Utility Gas Expansions — News Release From NC WARN
Leading Climate-Methane Expert Calls for Halt to Expansion of Natural Gas for Electricity across the United States. NC governor, other U.S. leaders urged to issue moratorium on new pipelines, power plants by Duke Energy and other major utilities.
See articles by News & Observer, WRAL, WFAE
Busting the Gas Bridge Fuel Myth — Oil Change International
If we have a feeling of déjà vu over releasing a report debunking the myth of gas as a bridge fuel, it’s probably because we have done it before. But by using the latest data on carbon budgets and climate goals, clean energy costs, technology advances and policy developments, we are making it clearer than ever: gas is dirty, expensive and unnecessary. In other words, all of the claims of the bridge fuel myth are dangerously misleading.
How the Media Launders Fossil Fuel Industry Propaganda Through Branded Content — The Intercept
With a headline predicting that natural gas “will thrive in the age of renewables,” the article made the case that there are limitations on solar and wind power and that … natural gas “is part of the solution.” Why was the Washington Post weighing in on the need for continued production of this fossil fuel in the face of climate change? Or was it?
Examining The Future Of Energy In North Carolina — Charlotte Talks
NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren was a guest on Charlotte Talks, the local talk show of NPR member station WFAE. He deftly countered Duke Energy’s corporate PR weasel-wording. It was a lively and feisty discussion that finally got the debate over North Carolina’s energy future out in the open. Listen here.