Natural+Gas

Natural Gas is considered one of the world's cleanest, safest, and most useful forms of energy. It is considered a nonrenewable resource and a fossil fuel. Most of the world's natural gas is found in the Middle East. However, here in the U.S., much of the natural gas we use comes from North America, and another big portion of that comes from right here in the states.


 * [[image:http://www.naturalgas.org/images/resources-worldreserves.jpg width="517" height="420"]] ||
 * Source: International Energy 2010 - EI ||



__**BENEFITS FROM NATURAL GAS**__ These are some ways that using natural gas benefits people, communities, and our nation as a whole:
 * It's clean. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel and is a good energy source for the environment.
 * It's efficient. After the entire cycle of producing, processing, and transporting natural gas, it has a total energy efficiency of about 90%.
 * It's multi-purpose. It can be used to heat your home, make your water hot, dry your clothes, and cook your meals.
 * It's domestic. 99% of the natural gas we use comes from North America and 84% comes from right here in the U.S.
 * It's economical. Natural gas appliances are usually maintenance-free, saving you money by using these appliances.

Here are some ways companies are keeping themselves and the surrounding communities safe:
 * __SAFETY__**
 * Natural gas is normally colorless and odorless but some companies add an ingredient called mercaptan or another ingredient that gives it a strong, distinct smell. If you can smell gas, you should get out of the building you are in and call 911. Some companies even add an ingredient that makes it smell like rotten eggs.
 * Companies leave above ground markers on natural gas pipelines to alert surrounding people.
 * Companies have to call before they dig to make sure there are no underground power lines, communication cables, gas lines, water lines, or other utilities in the area that could affect the surrounding communities if they are disturbed.

[|Here are some helpful safety tips for when natural gas enters your home!]

This link takes you to a site that breaks down the process of providing natural gas as an energy source into sections:
 * __EXTRACTION__**

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Natural gas may be a clean, reliable energy source, but these are some possible dangers they bring and ways they can be stopped.
 * __NATURAL GAS HAZARDS__**
 * When a natural gas appliance is not working properly, the carbon monoxide inside the natural gas may enter your home and threaten everyone living there. To protect yourself from this:
 * Install a carbon monoxide sensor in your home. These are similar to smoke detectors, except they measure the amount of carbon monoxide in the air instead.
 * Get natural gas appliances checked by a qualified repair person once a year or when you suspect a problem with that appliance.
 * When gas lines below your home spring a leak, it can be a very dangerous situation for your family. It could possibly lead to an explosion. You can tell there has been a gas leak if you can smell gas or rotten eggs. To protect yourself from this:
 * DO NOT turn on OR off any electrical appliances.
 * Leave your house and move to a safe distance. Call 911 and the utility company.
 * Do not attempt to locate the leak. If you know there is a leak, do not search for it, just move away from your house.
 * Natural gas is extremely flammable and one spark could start an explosion, leading to a fire. Workers that drill for natural gas have to be careful of creating a fire or an explosion. To protect themselves, workers:
 * Have to be careful of setting off a spark that could cause an explosion and/or a fire.[[image:https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQfwzPm3clM7BUlTNXXV6l652ddeWnwwU1LeJ-vn3jjC4Y__DQODw width="386" height="253" align="right"]]

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