Natural Gas, Pollution, and Our Environment
Natural Gas, Pollution, and Our Environment
In today's society there is a great need for environmental protection. Things that happened during our parents and grandparents age have caused a great concern for our ozone, our air, and our environment. You constantly hear about the many sources of pollution, but we hardly ever hear about the solutions. In this paper I will present one possible solution to the air pollution problem that has been caused by too many automobile emissions being released into the air. This possible solution deals with switching from diesel gas, to fuel trucks and bus fleets, to natural gas. I will discuss how this switch would assist in the reduction of air pollution and in this way help the environment.
There are many types of pollution such as: smog, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions. The causes of these pollutants include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide, as well as various sulfur compounds. Pollutants are released into the air for several reasons. One reason is that diesel fuel does not burn as cleanly as natural gas. These pollutants are released into the atmosphere by the burning of the fuel. Automobiles are responsible for half of the world's pollution problem due to their use of these fuels. There have been 41 different toxic elements in diesel exhaust identified by the State of California. Of these toxins, about half are recognized or considered to be carcinogens.
Due to the problem that has been described up to now, there are several environmental laws that have been enacted to help control and reduce air pollution. The major law in this area would have to be the Clean Air Act of 1970. This was the highest point in history regarding air pollution. It was the largest law to be past regarding air pollution up to that point. Another legislative decision that has had a huge impact is the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. A few of the major points amended include: classifying areas
In today's society there is a great need for environmental protection. Things that happened during our parents and grandparents age have caused a great concern for our ozone, our air, and our environment. You constantly hear about the many sources of pollution, but we hardly ever hear about the solutions. In this paper I will present one possible solution to the air pollution problem that has been caused by too many automobile emissions being released into the air. This possible solution deals with switching from diesel gas, to fuel trucks and bus fleets, to natural gas. I will discuss how this switch would assist in the reduction of air pollution and in this way help the environment.
There are many types of pollution such as: smog, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions. The causes of these pollutants include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide, as well as various sulfur compounds. Pollutants are released into the air for several reasons. One reason is that diesel fuel does not burn as cleanly as natural gas. These pollutants are released into the atmosphere by the burning of the fuel. Automobiles are responsible for half of the world's pollution problem due to their use of these fuels. There have been 41 different toxic elements in diesel exhaust identified by the State of California. Of these toxins, about half are recognized or considered to be carcinogens.
Due to the problem that has been described up to now, there are several environmental laws that have been enacted to help control and reduce air pollution. The major law in this area would have to be the Clean Air Act of 1970. This was the highest point in history regarding air pollution. It was the largest law to be past regarding air pollution up to that point. Another legislative decision that has had a huge impact is the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. A few of the major points amended include: classifying areas
References: 1. Florida Natural Gas Association. (2000. October 12.) General Information About Natural Gas and Hot Sites [6 pages]. Florida Gas Online Http//: www.floridagas.org/generalinfo.htm 2. Natural Gas Organization. (2000. October 12.) The Environmental Impact of Natural Gas [4 pages]. Natural Gas Organization Online Http//: www.naturalgas.org/ENVIRON2.htm 3. Natural Gas Organization. (2000. October 12.) Natural Gas Powered Vehicles (NGVs) [4 pages]. Natural Gas Organization Online Http//: www.naturalgas.org/NGV.htm 4. Popular Science Online (2000. August 09.) Cities Turn to Natural Gas Buses [2 pages]. Popular Science Online Http:// www.popsci.com/news/08092000_bus.html 5. Clark County Nevada Air Quality Team (2000. January 25.) Natural Gas Vehicles A Partnership For Clean Air [7 pages]. Clark County Nevada Online Http//: www.co.clark.nv.us/compplan/environ/aqteam/ngv.htm 6. Shivdasani, Sacha. (2000). Natural gas buses are the path towards sustainability. Earthtimes. Retrieved October 12, 2000 from the World Wide Web: Http//: www.earthtimes.org/aug/environmentnaturalgasbusesaug12_00.htm 7. The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment (1995. January 30.) Implementing the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990: Where Are We Now?. [2 pages] Congressional Research Service Http//: www.cnie.org/nle/air-9.html