Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024
Does natural gas cause one-third of US greenhouse gas emissions?
One-third of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. in 2022 came from natural gas, according to the latest figures from the federal Energy Information Administration.
That compares with 46% from petroleum and 19% from coal.
The one-third reference was made in a social media ad that ran Jan. 22-27, 2024, and targeted Wisconsin users.
Most U.S. emissions of human-caused greenhouse gases come primarily from burning those three fuels for energy use.
All three were formed by pressure and heat on plant and animal remains that collected on the earth’s surface and ocean floors millions of years ago.
The largest component of natural gas is methane, a greenhouse gas.The Energy Information Administration estimates the amount of carbon dioxide produced by power plants.
The latest figures, for 2022, show petroleum produced 2.38 pounds of CO2 per kilowatt hour of electricity generated; coal produced 2.3; and natural gas produced 0.97.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- US Energy Information Administration U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- Facebook Climate Power ad
- US Energy Administration Where greenhouse gases come from
- US Energy Information Administration Natural gas, explained
- Environmental Protection Agency Importance of Methane
- US Energy Information Administration How much carbon dioxide is produced per kilowatthour
About fact briefs
Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.
See all fact briefs
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
Learn MoreLatest Fact Briefs
Is Wisconsin one of only six states with same-day voter registration?
Monday, Feb. 17, 2025
Do recent studies link water fluoridation with less dental decay in children?
Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
Are airline flights the safest mode of transportation in the U.S.?
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025