Can Gas Be Called ‘Natural’? Legal and Environmental Debates Explained
A deep dive into the controversy around 'natural gas' labeling, legal challenges, and environmental perspectives.
The term ‘natural gas’ has been used for decades to describe a fossil fuel largely composed of methane, but recent years have seen this familiar label come under increasing legal and ethical scrutiny. Critics argue that calling gas ‘natural’ is misleading, suggesting the product is clean or environmentally friendly,when in reality, it is a major contributor to climate change. The debate spans courtrooms, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and the energy industry.
Why the Label ‘Natural Gas’ Is Under Fire
Words matter, especially when they influence consumer choices and public policy. The use of the word ‘natural’ has historically evoked associations with safety, purity, and ecological harmony. Marketing experts and psychologists note that language exerts a powerful influence over how products are perceived, even for commodities like fossil fuels.
In the energy sector, the word ‘natural’ suggests something different from chemically altered or artificial fuels, despite the fact that all fossil fuel extraction and processing involve significant industrial intervention. Environmentalists argue that the ‘natural’ label is a form of greenwashing—the practice of making a product appear more environmentally friendly than it is.
- The word ‘natural’ is unregulated in many advertising contexts, allowing wide latitude for industry marketing teams.
- Public perception polling shows that people find energy sources labeled ‘natural’ less threatening, despite similar climate impacts as other fossil fuels.
- Environmental advocates have increasingly targeted this labeling as part of their broader campaigns against fossil fuel expansion.
How the Gas Industry Justifies the Term
Industry groups and energy companies point out that ‘natural gas’ has been the established term for over a century. In industry use, ‘natural gas’ refers to methane-rich gas reservoirs extracted from the earth, as opposed to ‘manufactured’ or ‘town’ gas once produced from coal and other feedstocks. The label ‘natural’ simply indicates its original geological origin.
Furthermore, government bodies and international organizations use the same terminology. For instance, ‘natural gas’ appears in U.S. Energy Information Administration and United Nations reports. Industry spokespeople argue that changing the terminology now would cause unnecessary confusion in commerce, regulation, and global trade.
- ‘Natural gas’ distinguishes this fuel from propane, butane, and other gases by composition and origin.
- There is no evidence that consumers have been actively deceived by this terminology in legal or regulatory proceedings—until recently.
Legal Challenges: Is Calling Gas ‘Natural’ Deceptive?
Despite its ingrained status, several lawsuits and complaints have challenged the term ‘natural gas’ in recent years. These legal actions center on claims of consumer deception and false advertising.
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Recent Lawsuits and Regulatory Complaints
In 2023 and 2024, multiple complaints were filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state agencies alleging that using ‘natural gas’ in advertising and corporate communications violates rules against deceptive environmental claims.
- Environmental groups have petitioned the FTC to ban use of the term ‘natural gas’ in ads and require companies to use ‘fossil gas’ or ‘methane gas’ instead.
- Some lawsuits seek to prevent utilities from describing their gas as ‘clean’ or using other positive environmental language in conjunction with ‘natural gas.’
- Cases argue that ‘natural’ implies health, sustainability, and low emissions that are not supported by scientific evidence.
No court or regulatory body has yet ruled that simply calling gas ‘natural’ is illegal, but litigation is ongoing. The visibility of these cases has nonetheless sparked fierce debate—and led some companies to update their language in press releases and public reports.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Role
The FTC is empowered to police advertising claims that may mislead consumers. It publishes the Green Guides, which set out guidance for environmental marketing claims, but the guides do not specifically address the term ‘natural gas.’
Currently, the FTC is revising its Green Guides. Environmental groups have lobbied for explicit language regarding ‘natural gas,’ urging the agency to acknowledge that the word may imply environmental safety or benefits that are inaccurate.
- Some draft proposals suggest closer scrutiny of ‘natural’ in environmental marketing beyond food and cosmetics.
- The FTC is soliciting public comments and expert opinions to determine if ‘natural gas’ constitutes greenwashing or deceptive practice.
Until a final decision is made, the use of ‘natural gas’ remains legal in advertising, though the industry faces increasing pressure to clarify what the term does and does not mean.
How States Are Responding
Some state legislatures and utility commissions have begun to address the language used around gas. A handful of states have debated or passed bills that would restrict marketing claims, particularly those that portray gas as particularly clean or climate-friendly.
- California’s Truth in Advertising Law is periodically referenced as a model for future regulation of fossil fuel marketing.
- New York is considering measures to ensure that utility advertising does not misrepresent fossil fuel emissions.
- Colorado and Washington have explored mechanisms for more transparent consumer information about energy sources.
At present, no U.S. state has outright banned the use of the label ‘natural gas,’ but several are exploring actions to increase consumer awareness and limit greenwashing claims.
What Scientists and Environmentalists Say
The scientific consensus is clear: burning methane—as occurs with so-called ‘natural gas’—produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Methane itself, when released directly into the atmosphere (via leaks or flaring), is far more potent as a short-term climate warmer than CO2.
Climatologists and health experts further note that household gas stoves and appliances can produce indoor air pollution and release nitrogen dioxide, a respiratory irritant.
- Methane traps heat 80 times more effectively than CO2 over a 20-year period.
- Many gas infrastructure systems leak, contributing to both local and global pollution.
- Combusting gas for heating, electricity, and cooking is a major driver of climate change globally.
Environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and Greenpeace have called for an end to the term ‘natural gas’ in public discourse and recommend ‘fossil gas’ as a more accurate alternative.
‘Natural’ Labels and Their Broader Impacts
The ‘natural’ phenomenon is not limited to gas. Food, cosmetics, household cleaners, and other products frequently use the word without formal definition or oversight.
| Product Category | Common ‘Natural’ Label | Regulatory Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline & Energy | Natural Gas | Unregulated for ‘natural’ in marketing |
| Food | Natural Flavors/Ingredients | Limited FDA guidance, no strict definition |
| Personal Care | Natural Skincare | Loosely defined, not tightly regulated |
For energy, the effects may be most consequential. Polling has repeatedly shown that U.S. consumers are more likely to consider ‘natural gas’ a clean fuel due largely to its naming, not to its actual climate impacts.
Industry Pushback: Arguments for Keeping ‘Natural Gas’
Fossil fuel industry representatives maintain that campaigns to ban the term ‘natural gas’ are unscientific and confuse the public. They argue:
- ‘Natural gas’ distinguishes this fuel type in international energy markets.
- The term is recognized in regulatory codes, contracts, and scientific literature worldwide.
- Banning the phrase would not change the underlying emission issues and could distract from substantive climate policy debates.
Industry reports also emphasize that gas is often used to replace dirtier fossil fuels, such as coal, in power generation—although leading climate researchers note that long-term reliance on any fossil fuel is incompatible with climate goals.
What Alternatives Are Proposed?
Several alternative terms have been offered by critics and environmentalists to replace ‘natural gas.’ The top contenders are:
- Fossil Gas — Emphasizes its origin alongside coal and oil, removing the environmental halo.
- Methane Gas — Centers the primary chemical responsible for its climate impact.
- Plain ‘Gas’ — Avoids all adjectives, though this could add confusion with gasoline.
Adopting any of these alternatives faces cultural and regulatory obstacles. Many scientists and advocates continue to use ‘natural gas’ for clarity when engaging with the public but contextualize the environmental consequences each time.
Changing Course: Corporate Shifts in Language
Some companies and trade groups, anticipating regulatory changes or responding to public criticism, have begun removing positive environmental language from gas marketing materials. Others have started using terms like ‘fossil gas’ or at least providing more transparent details about sources and emissions.
- A few regional utilities have updated customer-facing websites and brochures.
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting among energy firms increasingly lists methane emissions explicitly and clarifies the fossil fuel origin.
- Major international conferences (e.g., the UNFCCC climate negotiations) have seen a shift in language within technical documents, even where ‘natural gas’ is still commonly used for consistency.
The trend, while not universal, suggests that mounting legal and public pressures could reshape industry terminology in coming years.
Where Does the Debate Go Next?
With climate change intensifying and energy regulation evolving, the debate over whether calling gas ‘natural’ is deceptive is likely to persist. The answer may ultimately come not just from courts and regulators, but from shifting public attitudes and increased scrutiny about all environmental claims.
Key questions for the future include:
- Will new rules or laws explicitly restrict the term ‘natural gas’?
- How will consumer perceptions shape energy policy and demand?
- Can increased transparency about energy emissions lead to a more informed public debate?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is it currently illegal for companies to call their product ‘natural gas’?
A: No, as of now, there is no federal or state law that bans the use of the term ‘natural gas.’ However, lawsuits and regulatory complaints are underway seeking to restrict its use in advertising where it is deemed misleading.
Q: Why do environmental groups want to ban the term ‘natural gas’?
A: Critics argue that labeling fossil methane as ‘natural’ is misleading, as it suggests ecological safety and downplays the fuel’s significant contributions to climate change and pollution.
Q: What terms do experts propose as alternatives to ‘natural gas’?
A: Leading alternatives include ‘fossil gas’, ‘methane gas’, and sometimes just ‘gas’, each intended to clarify its environmental impact and origin.
Q: How does the U.S. government define or regulate the term?
A: There is no formal governmental definition restricting ‘natural gas’ in advertising, though the FTC is considering new guidelines for environmental marketing that may affect future use.
Q: Does changing the label affect the climate impact of gas?
A: Changing terminology alone does not alter the emissions from burning gas, but could help align consumer perceptions with the reality of its environmental effects and influence policy and demand.
References
- https://www.lw.com/admin/upload/Documents/Oil_Gas_Book_of_Jargon.pdf
- https://www.aspentimes.com/news/gary-hubbell-the-redneck-tree-hugger-10/
- https://www.treeplantation.com/tree-rights.html
- https://www.jenniferhattam.com/blog-posts/tag/treehugger
- https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2023/12/22/tree-hugging-dam-fighting-green-legend-dies-at-80-00133087
- https://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?letter=P
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