Why CNG Fuel Is The Best Around

By Randy Lieber

CNG has a Distribution System Already in Place that is 1000 times more extensive than that used for petroleum products. Mega tanker ships transport oil from the Middle East. Tanker trucks transport 99% of the gasoline and diesel fuel that we consume at the pump. That itself contributes over 22% of price we pay at the pump, not to mention the danger. The transportation costs associated with CNG are almost fixed. Natural gas is distributed nationwide through an extensive network of pipelines, which feed electrical generation plants and domestic and industrial heating uses. Thus, the use of natural gas in vehicles is "piggybacking" on many years of infrastructure development.

If natural gas is available where you live, you can also install a natural gas pump to your home or business allowing you to refuel your vehicle in your garage. Many people already do this. No delivery needed; natural gas is already being delivered to our homes by underground pipelines. Equipment is $3500 - $4500 and installation is about $500. There is also a $1,500 state tax credit available to offset the cost of installation. The South Coast Air Quality Management District in the Los Angeles basin offers a $2,000 rebate on the purchase of a home CNG refueling device. Utah should to do likewise. So depending on how many miles you drive, this could be a great addition. (Google - "Fuel Maker")

CNG is a LOW COST FUEL or it should be. In Utah, as of 07/14/08, CNG is $.85 a gallon statewide; yes, that's .85 cents! In many other states CNG is as high as $3.75 a gallon. Utah, Oklahoma and a couple of other states regulate their natural gas. If Utah were not regulated, we also would be paying about $.50 a gallon less than gasoline, which has been where the petroleum companies and profiteers have pegged CNG's price in many other states. In the past 20 years a few petroleum companies, like Clean Energy, have gone around the country and bought up many of the natural gas suppliers and distributors, in effect, destroying any competition.

It explains the tendency to select the first option that satisfys some of the priority needs, or select the option that addresses most of the needs, rather than wait for the "optimal" solution that does everything.

Production, transportation, taxes and profit make up the main elements of petroleum's price to the consumer. Unlike petroleum, CNG requires relatively little development, production, refinement or transportation. In fact, natural gas is often discovered with petroleum and burned off (flared) as a nuisance. It's estimated that the world's NG that is flared off in one year is equivalent to the energy used in the USA in 4 months. Now, consider your ECON 101 class. Remember supply and demand effects? If we have a product with an over abundance (high), with a demand that at this point is almost nil (low), what would you expect the price to be?

CNG is safer than gasoline or diesel fuel according to the head University of Utah chemistry department. Natural gas and natural gas vehicles have a stellar safety record which is based upon two facts: a. The physical properties of natural gas make it safer than most other fuels. b. The fuel systems designed for natural gas vehicles are built to very stringent

Carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas because it absorbs in the infrared range, and because of its atmospheric lifetime. Replacing one diesel-powered garbage truck with a natural gas-powered one is equal to taking 325 cars off the road in terms of pollution reduction.

Fuel System: Natural gas vehicles (NGV's) have all the same standard safety equipment as conventional cars (seat belts, air bags, etc.), yet they are subjected to the same crash safety tests as well. - 21396

About the Author:

Randy writes articles about hybrid cars and writes article for dual fuel autos