The industrial sector is by far the largest domestic user of natural gas, consuming about 50 percent of the natural gas used in the United States every year. By 2015, natural gas use by industrial customers is projected to grow 25 percent, or 2.5 quads (from 10.1 quads in 1998 to 12.6 quads in 2015).

The Clean Air Act Amendments (1990) have made natural gas an even more popular energy choice for industry because natural gas is inherently cleaner than other traditional energy sources. The purpose of the Amendments is to improve the quality of the atmosphere and curb acid rain by promoting the use of cleaner fuels in vehicles and stationary sources. In order to comply with the legislation, many power plants have turned to natural gas to reduce their emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). New technologies like cogeneration or reburn have also attracted electricity producers to natural gas.

Natural gas is used to manufacture or process pulp and paper, metals, chemicals, stone, clay, glass and certain foods. Many gourmet cooks prefer to cook over a gas range because the burners heat faster, are hotter and cool faster. Natural gas can be used with other ingredients to make plastics, paint, fertilizer for crops, antifreeze for cars, paper, building materials, fabrics and many other products. Gas is also used to treat waste materials, for incineration, drying, dehumidification, heating and cooling, and cogeneration.

Natural gas is also finding newer uses as a vehicle fuel, especially in medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, transit buses, shuttle buses and trolleys. Many cities concerned about pollution operate large fleets of compressed natural gas buses and city vehicles. Natural gas is also an excellent fuel for non-road vehicles, such as forklifts, backhoes, street sweepers, airport ground support equipment and even boats.