Report finds LNG export emissions are lower than those of coal

The Center for LNG (CLNG) has announced that a new report has demonstrated that US LNG exports cause lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than coal. The study, entitled LNG and Coal Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, discovered that an efficient new-build coal plant produces approximately 92% more GHG than an intensive LNG plant, and an average coal plant produces up to 148% more GHG. Additionally, a new, efficient coal plant produces approximately 106% more GHG than a low intensity LNG plant, and an average coal plant produces approximately 117% to 194% more GHG.

Casey O’Shea, the CLNG spokesperson, said: “Over the last two decades, natural gas has played an increasingly important role in helping the US to cut our greenhouse gas emissions.

“What this new report demonstrates is that US natural gas exports can similarly reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally.

“Even under the most extreme scenario, power produced from coal in these markets gives off almost twice the emissions as US-produced LNG.”

Additionally, the study included specific reports on the most emission-prone areas of the lifecycle. For both coal and US-produced LNG, the combustion phase sees the most emissions (approximately 67% – 74% for LNG and 77% – 79% for coal), proving that emissions from the liquefaction process of LNG are low.

O’Shea added: “The US has already seen widespread environmental benefits of increasing our use of natural gas. By exporting LNG, we can bring these same benefits to other countries not blessed with the same abundance of natural gas.

“This report proves that regardless of whether the LNG importer is in Asia or Europe, and regardless of whether they use domestically-mined or imported coal, that country can lower greenhouse gas emissions by using LNG exported from the US.”

Edited from various sources by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/07102015/report-finds-lng-export-emissions-are-lower-than-those-of-coal-1424/