Yes. The comparisons of CO2 output aside, methane mining is increasingly being shown to be a major contributor to methane in the atmosphere. Being a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, we need to minimise the production of methane, rather than increase it. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/26/what-is-...
As far as renewables go we have options including wind power which are already cheaper than natural gas plant: https://cleantechnica.com/2016/12/25/cost-of-solar-power-vs-...
So both from economic and ecological viewpoints, natural gas is a bad idea.