Energy Answers Today: Environment

Cleaner Fuels for a Greener Future

Oilheat is a petroleum-based fuel that benefits from recent technological advances, like the introductions of Bioheat® and ultra-low-sulfur Oilheat. Utility gas is made up largely of methane, a greenhouse gas, which leaks into the atmosphere during production and distribution.

• Low emissions. Modern Oilheat systems produce near-zero levels of emissions, and the recent introduction of Bioheat® and ultra-low-sulfur Oilheat has lowered emissions even further. Combined with new systems that "re-burn" combustion gases, Oilheat systems produce air emissions at rates that are as low as those for gas-burning equipment.

• Greenhouse gas. "Natural gas" is made up mostly of methane - which, as a greenhouse gas, traps 20 times more heat in the atmosphere than the carbon dioxide released by Oilheat equipment. Up to 12% of the natural gas (methane) transferred through the nation's 300,000 miles of pipeline is lost into the environment through leakage.* Oilheat, which is stored and transported as a liquid, does not leak particulates into the atmosphere during transport.
*www.newscientist.com

• Fracking. Recent headlines have exposed a controversial gas drilling practice that is causing plenty of protests around the country. The practice is called hydrofracturing - "fracking" for short - a process by which millions of gallons of chemical-laced water are injected underground at very high pressure to free the gas. The natural gas industry estimates 60% to 80% of new wells require fracking to be profitable - but not without a cost: This controversial practice is being reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency because of numerous complaints about water contamination and health problems.* Some residents near gas wells have flammable gas coming from their water faucets.**
*U.S. Environmental Protection Agency press release, March 18, 2010
**Scientific American, What the Frack? Natural Gas from Subterranean Shale Promises U.S. Energy Independence - with Environmental Costs, March 30, 2010





Cleaner Fuels for a Greener Future Oilheat is a petroleum-based fuel that benefits from recent technological advances, like the introductions of Bioheat® and ultra-low-sulfur Oilheat. Utility gas is made up largely of methane, a greenhouse gas, which leaks into the atmosphere during production and distribution. • Low emissions. Modern Oilheat systems produce near-zero levels of emissions, and the recent introduction of Bioheat® and ultra-low-sulfur Oilheat has lowered emissions even further. Combined with new systems that "re-burn" combustion gases, Oilheat systems produce air emissions at rates that are as low as those for gas-burning equipment. • Greenhouse gas. "Natural gas" is made up mostly of methane - which, as a greenhouse gas, traps 20 times more heat in the atmosphere than the carbon dioxide released by Oilheat equipment. Up to 12% of the natural gas (methane) transferred through the nation's 300,000 miles of pipeline is lost into the environment through leakage.* Oilheat, which is stored and transported as a liquid, does not leak particulates into the atmosphere during transport. www.newscientist.com • Fracking. Recent headlines have exposed a controversial gas drilling practice that is causing plenty of protests around the country. The practice is called hydrofracturing - "fracking" for short - a process by which millions of gallons of chemical-laced water are injected underground at very high pressure to free the gas. The natural gas industry estimates 60% to 80% of new wells require fracking to be profitable - but not without a cost: This controversial practice is being reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency because of numerous complaints about water contamination and health problems. Some residents near gas wells have flammable gas coming from their water faucets.** U.S. Environmental Protection Agency press release, March 18, 2010 *Scientific American, What the Frack? Natural Gas from Subterranean Shale Promises U.S. Energy Independence - with Environmental Costs, March 30, 2010