Natural gas

We're working hard to make sure that natural gas operations have a minimal impact on people and the planet.

The opportunities

As an energy source, natural gas (methane) has a major advantage over coal and oil: When combusted, it emits less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels and fewer dangerous pollutants like mercury. Natural gas can hasten our transition to a low-carbon economy – and is currently playing an important role in driving out old coal plants. And we are glad to see them go.

The drawbacks

EPA estimates that more than 2% of all the extracted natural gas is lost to uncontrolled venting and leaks from drilling operations, pipelines and storage tanks. That undermines this fuel’s potential carbon advantage, so we’re working to measure and reduce leaks. And this is not the only environmental concern heightened by the "fracking" boom. EDF is actively working on five major areas of concern, from community impact to groundwater contamination.