Consumer Natural Gas
While natural gas has been used in other parts of Canada for up to 60 years, it’s still relatively new to Nova Scotia. Our use of it is growing, however, both in our homes as a source of heat, and by our power plants to generate electricity.
Here are the reasons why that’s a good thing:
- We have potential for lots of it. Experts estimate that as much as 120 trillion cubic feet of natural gas potential lie off our shores – and possibly even more onshore. Nova Scotia is connected to North America’s natural gas grids, giving us access to more than 100 years of reserves.
- It’s a cleaner fossil fuel. Natural gas burns cleaner than oil or coal and produces fewer greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions.
- As the cost of coal continues to rise, and the price of natural gas remains low, an increasing proportion of our electricity is being generated by natural gas. In 2011, approximately 20 per cent of our electricity came from it. In addition, households and businesses with access to natural gas are saving money on heating costs.
- It fits in the mix. By developing varied sources of generation (including renewables such as tidal and wind, and Clean Coal Technology we can limit the impact of the increasing cost of any one fuel—as well as cover the intermittent nature of some sources.
- It delivers economic benefits. The first 12 years of the Sable Offshore Energy project created an average of 3,200 jobs and significant revenues for the province. New infrastructure needed for natural gas will attract investment and create new high-value job opportunities.