Aerial photo of gas explosion that destroyed businesses and injured nine firefighters in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle on March 9, 2016. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times)

A hazard outdoors

Gas furnaces, stoves and hot water heaters also pollute the outdoors. In Washington state, homes and buildings are the fastest-growing source of carbon pollution, up 50 percent since 1990, causing more pollution than the industrial sector, according to the state government.

Then there’s the reality that gas is explosive, not a desirable characteristic in earthquake country. Three businesses were completely destroyed and nine firefighters injured in a 2016 gas explosion that occurred in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood after businesses had closed for the night.