[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.]
 

The shift towards natural gas powered vehicles should not be encouraged by any government regulation. This is a tough strategic choice with many pros and cons.

Pros

  • The Peak in natural gas is also “around the corner”. There is no point in strategically shifting our transportation sector right into the next peak crisis.
  • The price of natural gas is tied to oil and shifting transportation from oil to natural gas will not improve the nation’s security. The unprecedented transfer of wealth to countries that “don’t like us” will continue if we shift to natural gas.
  • The natural gas market is global and increasing demand pressure on natural gas will work against all four goals of the energy policy.
  • We may be running out of natural gas if we use it in transportation (considering also other uses of natural gas that are more critical). We will need natural gas for other critical applications (such as electricity and chemical industry).
  • Use of natural gas for electricity production is expected to grow because of lower pollution, lower level of GHG (compared to coal) and flexibility. Natural gas is a required component to enable stable electricity generation while using renewable sources like solar and wind.
  • We need natural gas to replace oil use in industry and maybe for home heating (as a bridge for the next decades).

Cons

  • There is good natural gas delivery infrastructure throughout the U.S.
  • It is one of the less polluting transportation solutions. Although it is not clean as electricity.

This is not an easy decision and perhaps an exception should be made: Use of natural gas should be encouraged but limited to heavy municipal vehicles. It is a toss-up between natural gas and bio-diesel. The market should play itself out.