Atmos Energy 2007 Annual Report Download - page 12

10
The Century
of Natural Gas
BRIDGING THE FUTURE
Changing Times. In the latter years of the 20th century, people began to think of natural gas as a holdover
from the past. For decades, from turn-of-the-century gaslights to 1960s home appliances, natural gas had
been widely used. But by the 1970s, the energy of the future seemed to be electricity, with home builders
touting the all-electric home. Today, all that has changed. With escalating prices of electricity, a renewed
desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil and America’s search for cleaner energy, natural gas has taken
on new importance as a smart, responsible energy source.
AN AMERICAN ENERGY SOURCE
The United States today has an estimated 82-year supply of natural gas,
based on current exploration technologies, known gas reserves and present
rates of production. Natural gas is America’s most valuable fuel, yielding
more energy per unit than other fuels—with far less effect on the environ-
ment. For all practical purposes, natural gas comes ready to use, requiring
little processing. It’s also readily available, thanks to the gas industry’s
highly reliable underground pipeline network. More than 2.2 million miles of
pipelines deliver natural gas to 68 million American homes and businesses.
Natural gas for new housing developments
helps lower consumers’ energy bills as well as
carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to
global warming.
Energy-efficient natural
gas appliances, such as
these Rinnai tankless
gas water heaters, net
an energy savings of 35
percent and assure that
this family will never
run out of hot water.
82-yearsupply