The U.S. Energy Department Is Rebranding Natural Gas as “Freedom Gas” and I, For One, Have Questions

Let’s face facts: there’s nothing cool about natural gas. The energy source is in dire need of a makeover, and the U.S. Department of Energy has thrown out several options: organic gas, free-range gas, non-GMO gas, Tyler Perry Presents: Gas, gastastic, vroom vroom juice. Finally, they’ve landed on something all Americans can get behind: FREEDOM GAS. You’re welcome, patriots!

The Energy Department announced the rebrand in a press release by signing off on domestic exports of natural gas, which they are referring to as “freedom gas” and “molecules of U.S. freedom.” (Sidebar: Molecules of U.S. Freedom is my new band name).

Undersecretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes said, “Increasing export capacity from the Freeport LNG project is critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world by giving America’s allies a diverse and affordable source of clean energy.”

Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg also stated, “I am pleased that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for molecules of U.S. freedom to be exported to the world.” If you’re wondering who the brainchild behind “freedom gas” is, it’s none other than Energy Secretary and Dancing with the Stars contestant Rick Perry.

Perry compared America’s gas exports to America’s involvement in World War II (you’re welcome, greatest generation!) by saying, “The United States is again delivering a form of freedom to the European continent … And rather than in the form of young American soldiers, it’s in the form of liquefied natural gas.” Yikes.

To no one’s surprise, the internet quickly took “freedom gas” to task, mocking the name and making all the fart jokes they could imagine. It’s an absurdly ridiculous name to be sure, but there’s also the fact that natural gas is not as “clean” as it is touted to be. Sure, it’s cleaner than coal, but still more polluting and damaging to the environment than solar, wind, and other forms of green energy.

Many environmentalists, like Washington Governor and presidential candidate Jay Inslee responded via Twitter:

And then came the memes:

Truly, no one is free until all our gasses are free. God Bless America!

(via HuffPost, image: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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