Skip to main content

Education is key

gas fireplace

Learn what is powering the electric grid

As energy demand and extreme weather threats increase, strengthening the energy grid is more important than ever. Wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy will undoubtedly play increasingly larger roles in the energy transition. But as the country reduces our reliance on coal, there is simply nothing else that can provide the reliability and resiliency of natural gas.

 

Natural gas supports emissions reductions

The use of natural gas decreases global power generation carbon emissions by more than 50%.  

Source: Cost and Performance Baseline for Fossil Energy Plants Volume 1: Bituminous Coal and Natural Gas to Electricity” by National Energy Technology Laboratory.

 

Electrification comes at a cost

 

Learn about the costs of electrification

A forced switch to all-electric homes and businesses will come at a cost — particularly among those living on fixed incomes. Learn about the cost implications of converting your home to all-electric. The average home’s energy-related costs could increase by 46% per year if we had to replace our appliances and only use electricity. Think about it. Our country’s electric grid can’t support forced electrification. If all homes were electric-only by 2035, power generation would need to double, costing as much as $456 billion. Americans would be on the hook for these expenses.

Source: AGA Implications for Policy-Driven Electrification

 

 

EIA’s estimates of hourly energy usage of a typical home in Pueblo, Colorado, suggest that converting gas furnaces to air source heat pumps would increase residential peak demand by more than 150%.  

Source: Energy Information Administration, SSR research and analysis

Cost comparison by heating source

Natural gas is the most cost-effective pathway to lower emissions today in Colorado. See GTI Study cost impacts of electrification table:

GHG Reduction and Cost Examples % CO2 Reduction $/Metric Ton
Natural Gas High-Efficiency Gas -26% -$83
High-Efficiency Gas Equipment with Renewable Gas Blends -52% $46
Emerging Gas Heat Pumps with Renewable Gas Blends -63% $184
Conventional Electric Heat Pumps (HSPF 9)/Appliances and Grid Power Improvements -58% $405

Source: Analyzing Residential Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reductions • GTI Energy (May 1, 2023)

   

 

 

 

Helpful resources