Natural gas is also an essential raw material for many common products, such as paints, fertilizer, plastics, antifreeze, dyes, photographic film, medicines and explosives. We also get propane, a fuel we use in many of our backyard barbecue grills, when we process natural gas.

Industry depends on it. Natural gas has thousands of uses. It is used to produce steel, glass, paper, clothing, brick, electricity and other products. Homes use natural gas to fuel stoves, furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers and other household appliances. It is also used to roast coffee, smoke meat, bake bread, etc.