Electricity generated from coal may release as much as 100 times more toxic chemicals as that produced from natural gas obtained through fracking , according to a study from the University of Michigan . The research , based on energy studies in Europe , concluded that the “ toxicity burden ” of the electricity sector will fall as it moves towards greater use of natural gas . However , the study did not conclude that concerns associated with shale gas production are unfounded , and emphasised the importance of supporting the shift to renewables .
Electricity generated from coal may release as much as 100 times more toxic chemicals as that produced from natural gas obtained through fracking, according to a study from the University of Michigan. The research, based on energy production in Pennsylvania, concluded that the “toxicity burden” of the electricity sector will fall as it shifts towards greater use of natural gas. However, the study did not conclude that concerns associated with shale gas production are unfounded, and emphasised the importance of continuing the move to renewables.