We've Got Gas
Why is government blind to the benefits of natural gas? It's cost-competitive; it's proven; it's abundant; it can displace oil; and it's domestic. Is it perfect? No. But no alternative is. But it's less bad than other hydrocarbons.
Moreover, there are already cars, trucks and buses that are built to run on natural gas. The Post Office runs its vehicles on natural gas. What's lacking? A large number of refueling sites. However, if we're serious about easing our use of oil, then taking a half-step to natural gas is one obvious choice. Outfitting existing gas stations to refuel Natural Gas Vehicles is a lot easier than creating facilities to recharge batteries of electric cars.
Furthermore, vehicles that run on natural gas get mileage that compares to the mileage of gasoline-powered vehicles. Whereas electric vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, travel, at best, 40 miles on a single charge.
What is keeping the government from getting behind this domestic energy source that displaces oil and puts Americans to work?
Natural Gas Entering 'Golden Age'
VIENNA—Natural gas could be entering a "golden age" and represent a much larger portion of the global energy mix, but the fuel is still a fossil fuel and doesn't represent a panacea for climate change, the International Energy Agency said Monday.
The IEA, which represents the governments of consuming countries, said natural gas could rise by more than 50% from 2010 levels and account for more than a quarter of global energy demand by 2035. The estimates follow a recent surge of shale gas production in the U.S., which has significantly altered the energy picture in recent years in the U.S.
But the IEA cautioned that while an increased use of natural gas could boost energy security, it shouldn't overwhelm other energy forms that could be better in addressing climate change. IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka expressed concern that governments over react against nuclear energy following the recent Japan crisis.
"While natural gas is the 'cleanest' fossil fuel, it is still a fossil fuel," Mr. Tanaka said. "Its increased use could muscle out low-carbon fuels, such as renewables and nuclear—particularly in the wake of the incident at Fukushima and the likelihood of a reduced role for nuclear in some countries. An expansion of gas use alone is no panacea for climate change."
Moreover, there are already cars, trucks and buses that are built to run on natural gas. The Post Office runs its vehicles on natural gas. What's lacking? A large number of refueling sites. However, if we're serious about easing our use of oil, then taking a half-step to natural gas is one obvious choice. Outfitting existing gas stations to refuel Natural Gas Vehicles is a lot easier than creating facilities to recharge batteries of electric cars.
Furthermore, vehicles that run on natural gas get mileage that compares to the mileage of gasoline-powered vehicles. Whereas electric vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, travel, at best, 40 miles on a single charge.
What is keeping the government from getting behind this domestic energy source that displaces oil and puts Americans to work?
Natural Gas Entering 'Golden Age'
VIENNA—Natural gas could be entering a "golden age" and represent a much larger portion of the global energy mix, but the fuel is still a fossil fuel and doesn't represent a panacea for climate change, the International Energy Agency said Monday.
The IEA, which represents the governments of consuming countries, said natural gas could rise by more than 50% from 2010 levels and account for more than a quarter of global energy demand by 2035. The estimates follow a recent surge of shale gas production in the U.S., which has significantly altered the energy picture in recent years in the U.S.
But the IEA cautioned that while an increased use of natural gas could boost energy security, it shouldn't overwhelm other energy forms that could be better in addressing climate change. IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka expressed concern that governments over react against nuclear energy following the recent Japan crisis.
"While natural gas is the 'cleanest' fossil fuel, it is still a fossil fuel," Mr. Tanaka said. "Its increased use could muscle out low-carbon fuels, such as renewables and nuclear—particularly in the wake of the incident at Fukushima and the likelihood of a reduced role for nuclear in some countries. An expansion of gas use alone is no panacea for climate change."
Labels: natural gas, natural gas vehicles
posted by no_slappz at 7:25 AM
3 Comments:
With China moving ahead of the U.S.
in energy usage in 2011, and that demand steadily increasing, shouldn't we be drilling in proven locations now, and "get to fracking" for abundant natural gas, and investing and building those CNG refueling stations right now?
reb
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reb,
Under any and every scenario, we should expand our drilling of oil and gas in the US.
Fracking and building Natural Gas Powered Vehicles.
Sir No Slappz,
Here's one that caught my attention on Powser Generation:
GE Combines Natural Gas, Wind & Solar (Hybrid)
See, Technology Review/June 7, 2011
reb
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