What greenhouse gas emissions are associated with natural gas in the U.S.?
Methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and water vapor are the major greenhouse gases associated with the production, transmission, processing, storage, distribution, and use of natural gas. Emissions of these gases associated with natural gas, excluding water vapor, were about 20% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 (in carbon dioxide equivalent). EIA does not estimate volumes of water vapor produced from natural gas combustion because this contribution to global atmospheric water vapor is relatively insignificant. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is released directly to the atmosphere when it leaks from natural gas wells and pipelines and processing and storage facilities. These methane emissions in 2007 were the source of about 25% of total U.S. methane emissions, but only 2.7% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor are produced when natural gas is burned. Some CO2 is also released when it is removed
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