Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane. Like coal, natural gas is used to create electricity through a turbine system. Natural gas burns more cleanly than coal and other fossil fuels – 43 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than coal and 30 percent less than oil. There is no solid waste or particulate matter created from energy production with natural gas.
Unfortunately, methane is an even more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and natural gas use accounts for 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas is also used in homes for cooking and heating needs.
In Missouri, natural gas accounts for about 4 percent of the state’s electricity. The University gets natural gas for utilities purposes from the Laclede Gas Company.