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Abstinence a reminder of need for fossil fuels

Zeller, Chrisit

Natural gas is one of the most powerful and versatile energy source known to humankind. On Aug. 3, the federal government announced the Clean Power Plan, which will result in major changes in the fuel mix, primarily natural gas used to generate electricity in the United States.

Already, more than half of the homes in the United States are heated with natural gas, and a large percentage of Americans also use natural gas to cook food and heat water. Most people don’t know that natural gas is a raw material used to produce petrochemicals, plastics, paints and a wide variety of household products.

The Western Energy Alliance recently challenged Americans to go fossil-free for a week. It was the chance to attempt the lifestyle environmentalists and policymakers promote through protests, social media activism and overreaching regulations. During the Fossil Fuel Free week, individuals were challenged to live without the benefits of fossil fuels and think about the role of natural gas in their life.

Day 1 challenged the belief that riding a bicycle instead of driving would satisfy the challenge. The counter is that the bike tires are rubber, made from oil, and other components are manufactured from crude oil and natural gas such as brake pads, seat and pedals. In addition there are life-saving plastics involved, such as helmets. Helmets are required in the U.S. military, used at ski areas, by construction workers and by motorcycle riders.

Day 2 confronted a belief that you could stay at home and telecommute. Plastics in your home defy this principle. Much of the transformation in electrical and electronic equipment is owed to the development of technologically advanced materials, especially polymers, or plastics. Today’s electronic products, from razor-thin cellphones to miniaturized circuit boards, are very different than those of just a few decades ago. In consumer electronics alone, bulky computers, TV sets, and washers and dryers have given way to sleeker laptops, thinner flat-screen TVs and a variety of household appliances. Plus, electronics take power and the fuel switch for power plants make electricity from natural gas a cleaner source by removing as much as 50 percent of carbon from the air.

Day 3 acknowledged that you may need to visit the doctor or a hospital. Modern medicine wouldn’t exist without oil and natural gas. The plastics that permeate a doctor’s office or hospital aren’t possible without petrochemicals. From a simple stethoscope, surgeons’ gloves, blood bags and hearing aids, to more complex machines such as EKG, MRI and even plastic incubators to protect premature infants. Thank goodness for natural gas polymars for artificial hips, artificial knees or even corneas.

Day 4 countered the idea that you could dress for school or work without fossil fuels. Whether it’s a hot day that calls for clothes that wick away sweat or a cool fall morning that requires a fleece, your wardrobe is stitched together by synthetic fibers derived from petroleum. Even most cotton shirts are a blend with lycra or other modern fibers. One of the most significant ways in which plastic has been used in a lifesaving manner has been in child protection. Plastics are used to make a number of safety devices for children including safety gates and child safety seats, which protect children from accidents and falls. Plastics are also used to protect the lives of workers such as on-duty police officers, who wear Kevlar vests to protect their torso from bullets.

Day 5 was in the theme of looking forward to that Friday night beverage. Without fossil fuels, it doesn’t matter how good the hops and malted barley are, you still can’t have a beer. You need heat and electricity for fermenting and bottling. And beer trucks don’t run on sunshine and wind, and you need fossil fuels for fueling and manufacturing of tractors and combines and even fertilizer.

So this Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for the abundance of natural gas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christi Zeller is executive director of The Energy Council, a nonprofit trade organization that promotes safe and responsible oil and natural gas development in La Plata County. Reach her at 382-6686.



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