The Tribune is right. The nation would benefit from following Utah's lead in making natural gas vehicle refueling easier ("Home-grown fuel: Natural gas fueling stations expand," Our View, June 24). However, there is one area where Utah should follow others' lead: increased use of natural gas buses.

One out of four new buses ordered in the United States runs on natural gas. The reasons: environment and economy. Compressed natural gas buses improve air quality by drastically cutting emissions. Their life-cycle costs are at least 45 percent lower than diesels or hybrids because they are more economical to purchase, fuel, and maintain. And CNG buses are 90 percent quieter than their diesel counterparts, though just as powerful.

As a result, 140 public-transit fleets are now running 12,000 CNG buses and shuttles. Utah's transit systems will replace hundreds of buses over the next several years. To save money and clean the air, these should be CNG vehicles -- especially here, with one of the nation's most advanced refueling infrastructures.

Jim Grambihler Questar Gas

Salt Lake City


Buck