Liquefied natural gas (LNG), often touted as a cleaner alternative to coal, has a greenhouse gas footprint 33% larger than coal when factoring in its entire production and shipping process, according to a new Cornell study. The findings challenge the perception of LNG as a “bridge fuel” to cleaner energy.

Over a 100-year period, LNG's greenhouse gas footprint was found to be the same as or exceeding that of coal. Greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are released into the atmosphere,