What role does natural gas play in a ‘clean energy’ future? Separating spin from science in TV ads

"Clean energy" seems irresistible. Could you oppose energy that doesn’t pollute?

But the term’s imprecision leaves it open to interpretation — and sometimes manipulation.

Wind and solar are "clean," right? 

But is natural gas clean — or at least less dirty?

Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, a group backed by the natural gas industry, is trying to sway public opinion, particularly among Democrats. The group doesn’t call natural gas "clean energy," but casts it as a companion.

The pitch, backed by prominent Democrats such as former Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and former Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, is that natural gas, as a reliable energy source with fewer carbon dioxide emissions than coal, can be "partnered" with renewable energy to "accelerate our path to a clean energy future." 

The group, which has advertised since 2021, claimed in a January ad: 

"Replacing coal with natural gas is the best way to cut emissions, reach climate goals and power our future reliably, cleanly and affordably."

Energy and climate experts said natural gas is reliable and generally pollutes less than coal. But, as a significant polluter, it is not the best way to cut carbon emissions, given that renewables such as wind and solar produce far fewer emissions.