It’s a fact. Natural gas is the best choice for more efficient and responsible energy use. Natural gas is a clean-burning, domestic fuel that emits close to 45 percent less carbon dioxide than any other readily available fuel source. And it provides a reliable supply for our energy needs today and tomorrow.

Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, producing primarily carbon dioxide, water vapor and small amounts of nitrogen oxides. Other fossil fuels are coal and oil, which together with natural gas, account for about 88 percent of U.S. energy consumption.

Using natural gas addresses a number of environmental challenges simultaneously because natural gas emits fewer harmful pollutants known to cause greenhouse gases, smog and acid rain. A home with natural gas appliances produces 45 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than an all-electric home.

Natural gas is also efficient. More than 90 percent of the energy in natural gas is delivered to customers compared to only about 30 percent of the energy used to make electricity. The 70 percent loss of energy occurs while generating, transmitting and distributing electricity to your home.

Natural gas meets one-fourth of our nation’s energy needs. And 85 percent of the natural gas supply comes from the U.S. - which has enough energy to fuel the nation for generations to come. America's abundant supply of natural gas can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil imports.

The majority of natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in North America.

• 85 percent comes from United States
• 12 percent comes from Canada
• 3 percent comes from liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports

Energy is the lifeblood of our economy. Greater use of natural gas benefits Americans through cleaner air, energy independence and more jobs.

First let’s define what "carbon footprint" means. It’s the impact of the activities a person or business has on the environment, measured in pounds of carbon dioxide produced. The smaller your carbon footprint, the less harmful impact you have on the environment.

Atmos Energy has quick and convenient online energy management tools to determine your carbon footprint and help manage your home energy use. Find out your home’s impact on the environment by conducting an online Energy Profile, which creates a personalized energy-use and carbon emissions report for your home. Or for a quick look at operating costs and carbon emissions for each of your home’s major appliance, use our Energy Calculator.