D
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California, with its hyper-restrictive and controlling zoning regimes, has begun to ban natural gas in homes. The reason of course is to help with global warming. Supposedly.
The reality is that--and this is a matter of objective fact--natural gas burning directly at the source of use (in heating systems, cooling systems [yes, these can run on natural gas], cooking systems, clothes washing and cleaning, even dishwashers if they were available for private use) is actually more efficient because of the lack of transmission and conversion losses in energy consumption terms. So, unless the electricity generation source is substantially in excess of 10% renewables, using electric appliances is substantially less good for the environment then using gas fired appliances. And as it happens, most US electrical power is generated by natural gas. So it's quite possible these regulations could actually result in more emissions in the future, especially if the fraction of renewables doesn't continue to grow.
The reality is that--and this is a matter of objective fact--natural gas burning directly at the source of use (in heating systems, cooling systems [yes, these can run on natural gas], cooking systems, clothes washing and cleaning, even dishwashers if they were available for private use) is actually more efficient because of the lack of transmission and conversion losses in energy consumption terms. So, unless the electricity generation source is substantially in excess of 10% renewables, using electric appliances is substantially less good for the environment then using gas fired appliances. And as it happens, most US electrical power is generated by natural gas. So it's quite possible these regulations could actually result in more emissions in the future, especially if the fraction of renewables doesn't continue to grow.