A recent study of air quality revealed that carbon dioxide emissions in the United States have fallen to their lowest levels in 20 years – and that much of the reduction is due to natural gas.For example, power plants have begun switching their fuel source from coal to natural gas, which has great benefits for the environment:And the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) recently conducted a short-term study within Sullivan and Susquehanna Counties to determine the air quality impacts from Marcellus Shale operations. Their results:• PA DEP tested for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone, and did not detect concentrations above National Ambient Air Quality Standards at any of the sampling sites.
• PA DEP did not identify concentrations of any compound that would likely trigger air-related health issues associated with Marcellus Shale drilling activities.
• Even though components of natural gas and other associated target compounds were detected, the screening results found they do not have the potential to cause major air-related health issues associated with Marcellus Shale drilling activities.
Cabot believes in employing the latest clean air technology and best practices to do its part in reducing emissions. Some of the ways we do this include:
- Using equipment rated for lower emissions
- Use of flaring on natural gas wells
- Converting our truck fleet to dual-fuel CNG vehicles
- Working to convert our drilling rigs to be powered by natural gas
Check out our latest educational insert on Air Quality to learn more about how natural gas is lowering air emissions across the nation.
