Good read
The time for natural gas has come for power plants and transportation
By Flint Journal staff
December 07, 2009, 10:23AM
Voice: Charles Versotick, Grand Blanc Township
Michigan was once known as a leader. Now we’re known as the state with empty coffers and record unemployment. The time has come to move in a different direction.
Michigan has substantial natural gas reserves, more than any other state in the Great Lakes Region. Michigan imports 80 percent of its natural gas. This represents a great loss in revenue. We need to increase production of natural gas. We need to add refineries and adequate transmission lines to large cities. We have a great opportunity to increase the use of natural gas-fueled power plants.
We need to make the transition to natural gas-powered vehicles. In 2008, there were more than 7 million natural gas vehicles worldwide. We can convert our gasoline engines to natural gas, or better still, let’s build natural gas engines. Michigan has the know-how. Congress has encouraged conversion of cars to natural gas with tax credits of up to 50 percent of cost. Eighty percent of the homes in the United States use natural gas. Home refueling units compressing gas from residential gas lines for approximately $1.50 gasoline gallon equivalent and up to 50 percent tax credit. Europe has biofuel vehicles that have a tank for gasoline and a tank for natural gas. The driver can select what fuel to burn by flipping a switch on the dash.
If we look at just two areas, school buses and mass transit vehicles, we could realize great savings in fuel costs and be environmental. Battery and wind power are fine, but so was the horse and buggy.
Buck
By Flint Journal staff
December 07, 2009, 10:23AM
Voice: Charles Versotick, Grand Blanc Township
Michigan was once known as a leader. Now we’re known as the state with empty coffers and record unemployment. The time has come to move in a different direction.
Michigan has substantial natural gas reserves, more than any other state in the Great Lakes Region. Michigan imports 80 percent of its natural gas. This represents a great loss in revenue. We need to increase production of natural gas. We need to add refineries and adequate transmission lines to large cities. We have a great opportunity to increase the use of natural gas-fueled power plants.
We need to make the transition to natural gas-powered vehicles. In 2008, there were more than 7 million natural gas vehicles worldwide. We can convert our gasoline engines to natural gas, or better still, let’s build natural gas engines. Michigan has the know-how. Congress has encouraged conversion of cars to natural gas with tax credits of up to 50 percent of cost. Eighty percent of the homes in the United States use natural gas. Home refueling units compressing gas from residential gas lines for approximately $1.50 gasoline gallon equivalent and up to 50 percent tax credit. Europe has biofuel vehicles that have a tank for gasoline and a tank for natural gas. The driver can select what fuel to burn by flipping a switch on the dash.
If we look at just two areas, school buses and mass transit vehicles, we could realize great savings in fuel costs and be environmental. Battery and wind power are fine, but so was the horse and buggy.
Buck
Views: 74
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ALongview on -
I love it! Is it just me or has there been a ramp up of positive sentiment amongst the media on this issue recently?
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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on -
Alongview. IMO the reason that we are seeing an uptick in positive media regarding nat gas is directly related to the stake holders finally getting off their duffs and committing to a comprehensive, concerted effort. Better late than never. The real question is not can they generate positive press but can they actually wield political clout. They are playing catch up. And the competition (coal/electric utilities/railroads) has a huge head start and a lot more invested at this point. The only chance to make up ground is a White House and a Congress that has the political will to make decisions based on need and fact. Many legislators will be too indebted to Big Business to do what is right for our country.
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Permalink Reply by ALongview on
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Maybe our govt. will begin to listen to the international media and worldwide govt's that seem to be getting behind gas as well. Don't they understand that I need the money : ) !
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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on
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I hope that there are compelling arguments superior to ALongview needs the money!!! LOL!! All levity aside, it's a classic self interest political battle. Consumers rarely win. We just are not sufficiently motivated to match the efforts of business interests.
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Permalink Reply by grumpy on
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The main competition to NG as a transportation fuel are the large OIL REFINERS, companies who hold a minor position in NG. What happens to the refiners if a large part of transportation is fueled by NG. Think about it.
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Permalink Reply by John Avatar on
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The same thing that happened to Studebakers and Conestoga wagons. The majors are bailing out of refinery deals everywhere. Natural gas is a done deal.
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Permalink Reply by grumpy on
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I agree, except for the "done deal", beyond the big refiners is big OIL, if NG were to become a major transportation fuel the price of crude would come down dramatically.
Big oil is a relatively small player in NG and wether they operate refineries or not, they primarily generate profits from oil. So to me, we have a big fight with the majors or they come to their sinces and buy up some of the major gas players i.e., CHK, HK, EOG, XTO etc.
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