How to pay for gas replacement

Mar 8, 2022
Mar 8, 2022 Updated Apr 13, 2025
9

Editor,

I agree with Jon Mays: Gas replacement costs should be front and center. But how to pay for it?

(9) comments

Dirk van Ulden Mar 9, 2022 11:34am

As a post script to Mr. Whitehair's assertion that methane/natural gas leaks are a major source of pollution I can tell you that is not a major factor. When I worked at PG&E years ago, I had to report to the BAAQMD the estimated pollution caused by PG&E's gas line leaks. We called that unaccounted for natural gas which was the difference between what was sent out and what was metered. It was approxumately 4% of total volume, much of that was due to metering errors and diversion (theft). A very small percentage was/is due to leaks. Our cattle herds emit far more methane than the natural gas company leaks. So, let's keep things in perspective and do not just believe all of these studies that are based on preconception and grants demanding results.

edkahl Mar 8, 2022 11:40am

I'd retain the gas water heater incase of a blackout. It is no less greener to buy an electrical appliance because the electricity will have to come from natural gas generated power either here or imported from another western state. Solar generation is maxed out for now until we find an inexpensive way to store it. Making hydrogen from solar to store and generate electricity is the way to increase solar usage but Democrats in Sacramento won't back it for political reasons.

robertwhitehair Mar 8, 2022 3:47pm

Natural gas generates electricity at night because it is dark, or when the wind doesn't blow. However, by 2025 Peninsula Clean Energy will be 24/7/365 clean. Here is the link: https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/our-path-to-24-7-renewable-power-by-2025/ The ONLY source of hydrogen in the U.S. currently, is natural gas split into hydrogen by use of natural gas or coal created steam. Hydrogen is not the answer. Fossil fuel companies are pushing it because they would still use fossil fuel to produce it. Large scale Hydrogen is possible by using PV to convert sunlight to electricity which then is used in electrolysis. But this has tremendous energy loss; it is far better to directly use the electricity generated.

Terence Y Mar 8, 2022 9:11am

Mr. Whitehair – thanks for providing some of your costs for converting from natural gas to electricity, although we don’t know how big your home is so your heat pump costs may not be applicable to others. Regardless, your numbers show the cost for conversion runs quite steep. Unfortunately, the flaw in the logic is that electrification is a panacea for so-called global warming. After all, electricity doesn’t grow on trees. Much of the electricity is generated from natural gas power plants. Pushing greenhouse gas emissions to another part of CA doesn’t mean ones contribution to pollution disappears. And what happens when there are inevitable blackouts? No heat. I guess you could buy more sweaters – sweaters transported to CA via greenhouse gas emitting cargo ships. BTW, what’s the rate of increase for the cost of electricity vs. gas – say over the past decade or two? I’m betting electricity has been on an upward slope while natural gas has not.

robertwhitehair Mar 8, 2022 3:53pm

Thanks for a respectful comment. There is no doubt that there is an incremental higher capital cost for replacing gas equipment with electric. However, there is a significant drop off in CO2, and elimination of CO2 when combined with storage. The point of my letter is that we have a choice of where the people on the planet can spend their valuable resources. As far as regional distribution of pollutants, that is also part of an equity issue that must be addressed. I don't have the answer to that, but sure use the help from people who do.

Dirk van Ulden Mar 8, 2022 8:41am

Mr. Whitehair, you make me cringe. You are spending thousands of dollars aided with thousands of rebates paid for by others and then claim that you are helping mitigate the climate crisis? Your electricity is still coming for a large percentage from fossil fuel. Your heat pump only works in temperate climates requiring major electric usage during cold snaps and hot spells. Your water heater takes several hours to recover. Congratulations, sir. You have been fooled. And lastly, methane is not a major pollutants unless it is released in the environment before combustion. Your electricity is coming from natural gas-fired plants.

robertwhitehair Mar 8, 2022 5:18pm

Mr. van Ulden, thank you for your comment.

I agree with your concern about rebates, I too wish more people had access to that money. There is a new bill - SB1112 - before the legislature that would if passed, allow utility companies and others to front the cost of complete electrification, and then recover it by a "decarbonization" charge on utilities bills. We certainly need more rebates and tax credits.

Natural gas is in fact used at night, other times when the sun doesn't shine or when the wind doesn't blow. However, in San Mateo my family took the option of purchasing clean power from Peninsula Clean Energy, that power being net zero on a yearly basis. PCE is also working hard to create 24/7/365 clean energy using battery storage. See link here: https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/our-path-to-24-7-renewable-power-by-2025/

Methane gas leaks at the well head, the compressors, the transmission lines and even at the stove. Even the best gas furnaces fail to properly burn all fuel. See report: https://www.npr.org/2022/01/27/1075874473/gas-stoves-climate-change-leak-methane.

Modern heat pump water heaters are effective even to 25 degrees F, and there are ways to make hot water when rates are low when the sun shines, storing hot water until it is needed a few hours later. My 80 gallon heat pump water heater has a full recovery rate of one hour at worst (many hot showers in a row draining the hot water) and since it is also a hybrid it has a resistance coil backup (which we never have to use). Best wishes

Dirk van Ulden Mar 8, 2022 8:36pm

Mr. Whitehair - thank you for your further elaboration. Clearly, what you installed is not for all of us but you are making a strong case in that carbon neutrality can be achieved with the appropriate rebate and tax write-off support. As admitted sceptic, I certainly appreciate your disclosures on the cost components and the total green energy supplies by PCE by 2025. At this stage I don't see how the battery technology integration can deliver those green electrons 24/7 at an economic level but, I may be wrong. And, I hope I am. Thank you again.

robertwhitehair Mar 9, 2022 11:12am

Because of you, the two of us might have set a new standard - we were able to have a respectful direct conversation between two people, in a civil tone. There is a lot to do, and a lot of information to be gathered. Thank you for your perspective.

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