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The Case for Natural Gas
The Most Abundant, Clean, and Cost-efficient American Fuel
In 2008 we imported nearly 70 percent of our oil, and unless we make a change, that number will only continue to rise. According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), trucks and buses (which are the primary on-road consumers of diesel fuel) will use over 50 billion gallons per year by 2017. And, the EIA projects that light duty vehicle fuel consumption will rise to 150 billion gallons annually in 2017, for a total of 200 billion gallons per year in 2017.
We must end our dependence on foreign oil. But how?
There is no quick fix, but we have many options—natural gas, ethanol, methanol, propane, gasoline/diesel hybrids and plug-in hybrids, natural gas hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Natural gas is the best alternative to gasoline—and diesel—in high fuel-use, urban vehicle applications—and especially fleet applications.
American
Natural gas is an obvious choice to help us replace foreign oil. For one thing, it’s American. Natural gas reserves are twice as plentiful as crude oil. Approximately 98 percent of the natural gas we use in America comes from the U.S. and Canada, and the EIA forecasts that by 2030, over 98 percent of natural gas used in America will come from the U.S. alone.
Affordable
Another important benefit of natural gas is that it’s affordable. On average, it costs 1/3 less to fill a vehicle with natural gas than with gasoline. And because most of our supply comes from the U.S., natural gas prices are not subject to the outside political and economic pressures like we see in the oil market.
Clean
And of course, the environmental benefit of natural gas—natural gas is clean. Natural gas vehicle produce 22 to 29 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than diesel- or gasoline-powered vehicles, respectively.
Proven
There are nearly 10 million natural gas vehicles in the world. Most major car companies make natural gas models for markets somewhere in the world. No other alternative fuel has the ability to displace 100 percent of petroleum used in heavy-duty vehicles.
How Do We Get It Done?
Write a letter or an email to your congressperson or senator. Ask them to make incentives available for purchasing new and used compressed natural gas vehicles. Also ask them to support the development and expansion of natural gas refueling infrastructures, to make them more easily accessible.
Interested in learning more about compressed natural gas? Attend the Clean Energy Coalition Natural Gas Forum on Thursday, November 19th from 7:00–9:00 PM at the Three Rivers School, located at 901 Caledonia Street. The forum will be free and open to the public. For more information visit www.hope3.org or contact Chris Schneider at chris-hybridguru@centurytel.net .
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Information adapted from “The Case for Natural Gas: The Most Abundant, Clean and Cost-efficient American Fuel.” To read the complete Issue Brief, visit www.ngvamerica.org
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