Value of Natural Gas

Here are five reasons why the Amercan Gas Association thinks natural gas is the best energy value for the 21st Century:

Natural gas is America's natural wonder

  • That's why natural gas use has increased by 35 percent over the last decade, and is projected to grow by 45 percent by 2015.
  • Natural gas costs less to use in your home than electricity, heating oil, propane or kerosene. On average, electricity costs almost four times more than natural gas.
  • Natural gas customers paid less for their gas in 1998 than they did in 1987 – about 24 percent less, in inflation-adjusted dollars.

Natural gas is the cleanest and most efficient fossil fuel

  • More than 90 percent of the natural gas we use in the United States comes from North America, and supplies are abundant.
  • The 2 million-mile underground natural gas delivery system has an outstanding safety record.
  • Regardless of the weather, you can depend on your natural gas utility to bring you America's best energy value.

Natural gas is safe, reliable – and it's made in America

  • Natural gas is today's environmental energy choice.  Increased use of natural gas can help address several environmental concerns simultaneously, including smog, acid rain and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Most electricity in the United States comes from coal, which produces far more emissions than natural gas.

Natural gas utilities are important to the nation and its economy

  • Gas utilities employ more than 151,000 people in all 50 states, with an annual payroll of nearly $6.7 billion.
  • Natural gas provides about 24 percent of all the energy used in the United States  – one-third of the energy, if you exclude transportation fuels.
  • Natural gas utilities operate and maintain more than 1.2 million miles of safe, efficient underground pipes – an energy delivery system that is the envy of the world.

Your natural gas utility is your neighbor and your trusted energy partner

  • Gas utilities serve more than 60 million customers.
  • Your local gas utility has an investment in and a commitment to your community. Many gas utilities have been serving their customers for well over 80 years. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania has been serving its customers for 125 years!
  • Natural gas utilities are innovative and reliable, providing customers with a variety of services, products and, most important, America's best energy value.