Gas Leaks Are a Civil Rights Issue

 Climate Change, Environment, July-August 2022, Newsletter  Comments Off on Gas Leaks Are a Civil Rights Issue
Jun 212022
 
Gas Leaks Are a Civil Rights Issue

By Aditya Jain Governments have embraced natural gas as a “bridge fuel” to completely renewable energy sources, yet natural gas is far from a clean energy source (“It’s Time to Switch from Gas to Clean Energy,” BCF Newsletter, August/September 2021). Natural gas leaks in streets and homes cause significant public health hazards and environmental damage.  Across Massachusetts, gas leaks are often underestimated by officials and underserved by gas companies. While numerous gas leaks in Belmont are listed and mapped, other communities of underrepresented minorities face the heaviest burden of this pollution. Massachusetts-based energy researchers analyzed gas leaks in different geographic [READ MORE]

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It’s Time to Switch from Gas to Clean Energy

 Environment, Newsletter, September 2021  Comments Off on It’s Time to Switch from Gas to Clean Energy
Aug 232021
 
It’s Time to Switch from Gas to Clean Energy

By Debora Hoffman Think natural gas is a clean fuel? Think again. The fossil fuel, touted as a bridge fuel in the fight against CO2 emissions, is far deadlier to the planet—and our health—than is publicized. The issue? Leaks. Leaked gas is methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO2 (see “Is it Time to Get Natural Gas Out of Belmont?” BCF Newsletter, November 2020). During its first 20 years in the atmosphere, methane is 86% more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2.  So how much gas is leaking? A lot. Statewide, gas utilities reported that 5,753 metric [READ MORE]

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