Be afraid of Gas Leaks

Methane gas, commonly known as natural gas, has been heating American homes for over a century, but its track record of leaks and the dangers it poses to both communities and the environment have made it increasingly clear that gas has no place in a modern, clean energy system. A gas pipeline incident occurs in the U.S. approximately every 40 hours. From 2010 to 2021, nearly 2,600 significant pipeline incidents were reported, leading to 328 explosions. These explosions resulted in 122 deaths and over 600 injuries, highlighting the severe public safety risks tied to gas infrastructure.

Beyond immediate safety concerns, methane leaks have significant environmental impacts. Gas leaks reported to the federal government between 2010 and 2021 released 26.6 billion cubic feet of methane, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of over 2.4 million passenger vehicles. While the EPA has noted a reduction in emissions from gas systems since 1990, newer studies suggest that the amount of gas leaking into the atmosphere is far higher than federal estimates. In fact, some studies estimate that leakage rates are five times greater than what the EPA reports, undermining any perceived environmental benefit of gas over coal.

Despite billions of dollars spent by utilities to address leaks, the frequency of major gas incidents has not significantly declined since 2010. Programs in states like Illinois and Maryland have prioritized complete system replacements, often at high costs with limited safety improvements. With the urgent need to decarbonize the energy system, continuing to invest in gas infrastructure risks creating “stranded assets” that divert resources from clean energy solutions. To mitigate these risks, the U.S. must focus on electrifying buildings while addressing the most dangerous gas leaks to protect both public health and the environment.