Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on November 9, 2008 at 6:57

LP. Supply of CNG for vehicles will follow demand. I do not think the business dynamics will exist for public refueling stations until there are quite a few of those vehicles on the road. Availability of home refueling systems is a more logical starting point. And cost attractive vehicle options. Mass produced like the Honda Civic GX or conversion options for existing vehicles. I applaud Mr. Picken's Plan and find it of irrefutable logic. But I understand how difficult it will be for government to embrace and commit to such a large scale program particularly with our current financial difficulties. Remember that much of T. Boone's plan relies on wind power and that's a harder sell in my opinion than CNG. I think the best option, for those members who feel strongly about this issue, is support of a Shreveport-Bossier demonstration project. The SB metro area has all the required elements to make the case for CNG as a national energy policy priority. Success here would easily translate into a regional network covering TX. (Barnett&Maverick/Eagleford Shale), OK (Woodford Shale) and AR. (Fayetteville Shale). All of LA. has access to plentiful and cheap ng. New shale discoveries will continue to be announced in the future. The Marcellus Shale would allow the NE. U. S. to have its own regional network. Even in the event that not all regions of the U.S. will be so well situated for regional networks, those that are could make a significant contribution to the problem of importing foreign oil. It's all about politics and money. And, occasionally, but rarely, about what the citizens of our country demand. Our apathy is our own worse enemy.

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Permalink Reply by Louzanne on November 9, 2008 at 10:03

Skip,
At the meeting here several weeks ago, T. Boone stated CNG was the most logical first step in moving toward energy independance. He said CNG could be a bridge until the other sources were developed and available. Additionally, he said it cannot be the ultimate answer as the supplies are not infinate and in the meantime we must develop another source of power for automobiles. He believes eventually a battery source will be developed, but that has not happened yet.

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Permalink Reply by wpt9452 on November 9, 2008 at 11:20

I work for GM, at least for now, and wondered why we haven't considered building a CNG truck. I did a little research and found that CNV vehicles will cost between $4,000 and $8000 more than conventional cars and trucks. I guess that is it in a nutshell along with the time it takes to refuel a CNG vehicle and the limited mileage being somewhere around 280 miles per tank. If crude hits $200 a barrel then it may become a more realistic venture.

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Permalink Reply by Two Dogs, Pirate on November 9, 2008 at 11:49

It doesn't take long to fill up a propane tank and four to eight grand ain't no hill for a stepper. LCD and plasma TVs were $10,000 just a few years ago and people that wanted them bought them.

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Permalink Reply by wpt9452 on November 9, 2008 at 16:14

The refueling time for CNG is a bit confusing. I just copied this from an article about refueling from a home station.
Where it differs slightly from normal refueling, is that the gas is pumped in over a longer period of time. The refueling time varies depending on how much fuel is already in the vehicle, but generally a complete fill is achieved within a four to twelve hour period. As most vehicles are stationary for at least this period of time each day, the extended refueling time has little or no effect on the usability of the vehicle

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Permalink Reply by Grice on November 9, 2008 at 16:26

I have not found much R&D into the home fueling stations. But, as the demand increases, I would think more adaptive technology would be introduced. I do know that there has already been new development into lighter storage tanks for the CNG-Automotive industry. In time, the home fueling station may become more efficient.

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Permalink Reply by Grice on November 9, 2008 at 16:43

The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 should give an indication as to where the automotive industry is heading. The evidence is there, and I agree with you..."just accept it and do whatever is necessary"

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hughes on November 10, 2008 at 5:43

NG fueled vechicles has been doable for years. Replace the the gas tank with adjustments to the carb system and you have it . At one time for less than a thousand dollars. The Mesquite, Tx Police Dept expermited for several years running their fleet on CNG. And how difficult is it to place an above ground NG tank and sales pump at retail outlets. It can be done and quickly depending upon demand.

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