American Gas - August/September 2010 - (Page 2)

preSidenT’S meSSAGe energy efficiency: Consider the Source When the full fuel cycle is measured, natural gas is a clear green energy choice. This monTh’s cover story, which starts on p. 28, discusses an issue that AGA has worked long and hard to bring to the forefront and that is beginning to see results. The issue is this: Today energy efficiency is usually calculated at the “site”—that is, how efficient and clean-burning is the enduse product or appliance when used in the home or business. However, if you “consider the source”—if you use the full-fuel-cycle measurement to calculate total energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from an energy’s source at the coal mine or natural gas wellhead to its end-use at the gas burner tip or electric outlet—then the direct use of natural gas in your home or business is more environmentally responsible, more efficient and can save you money. In fact, using the full-fuel-cycle measurement, electricity loses about two-thirds of its usable energy from the source to the end-use in the home or business. Most of that energy loss occurs when gas or coal is converted into electricity at a central station generation plant. By contrast, natural gas’s journey from the wellhead through transmission and distribution pipelines directly to the natural gas heating, water heating or gas-burning stove in the home loses only about 10 percent of its usable energy. Thus, the direct use of natural gas is far more efficient than converting it to electricity. Natural gas also emits far fewer GHG emissions. Although electricity emits no emissions at the end-use appliance, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, an electric water heater produces twice the CO2 emissions produced by a gas water heater when the full-fuel-cycle measurement is used. As our cover story notes, switching from an electric water heater to a gas water DAviD n. PArker President and ceO dparker@aga.org heater can eliminate about 3,000 pounds of carbon every year. Don’t just take it from me. Recently, the well-respected National Academies issued a report to the U.S. Department of Energy that recommended it consider changing its measurement of appliance energy efficiency from site-based to one based on the full fuel cycle. That would give consumers far more accurate information on the true efficiency and environmental impact of the energy appliances they buy. As our cover story also notes, AGA’s member companies are doing their part to further these environmental and efficiency goals, in many cases offering rebates to customers to get them to switch to highly efficient natural gas appliances. Liz Norton, manager of natural gas development for Puget Sound Energy and the person gracing this month’s cover, notes that converting customers to natural gas can mean significant CO2 emissions reductions and significant savings on their energy bills. History is on her side. Over the past four decades the number of households using natural gas increased from 38 million to about 65 million—by more than 70 percent—yet aggregate residential consumption over that time has remained essentially flat. That is because residential natural gas users have cut their natural gas use, per household, by about 40 percent. By encouraging the direct use of natural gas and offering energy efficiency programs, America’s natural gas utilities are helping to fuel a greener future. 2 AUGUST/SepTember 2010 AmericAn GAs

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - August/September 2010

American Gas - August/September 2010
Contents
President’s Message - Energy Efficiency: Consider the Source
In the Know - Natural Gas in the Wake of Climate Change Legislation
Industry News
Safety First - Alleviating the Strain
More Power to You
An Online Power Boost
Vendor News
Places to Be
Noteworthies
Marketplace
Advertisers’ Index
Jobline
Facts on Gas

American Gas - August/September 2010