A Simple Plan That Makes Sense

The premise is simple: America is addicted to Middle Eastern oil.  Every gallon of gasoline that we pump into our cars sends more money out of our economy and into  a part of the world where people don't like us very much.  Natural Gas is a proven transportation fuel that uses today's technology and that we produce in abundance right here in America!  There's been a lot of talk over the years about the need for using alternate fuels, but despite the rhetoric, our nation is still just as dependent on Middle Eastern oil as it's always been. Why aren't manufacturers making more cars that burn natural gas? Because the public doesn't demand them. Why doesn't the public demand them? For one VERY good reason:

America won't buy cars that run on natural gas until they're sure that there are natural gas filling stations wherever they go.

We're comfortable now with the number and location of fueling stations for cars that run on gasoline, so the obvious solution is that existing gas stations need to be refitted to also supply CNG, (Compressed Natural Gas). Unfortunately, gas station owners won't invest until people drive cars that burn natural gas. The public won't buy natural gas cars until they know they'll have a reliable fuel source, and manufacturers won't build the cars until buyers are willing to buy. Someone has to take the first step.

The gas stations are the logical choice to act first because their investment is relatively small, and because the sight of CNG pumps alongside gas pumps at filling stations will have a powerful advertising effect on the public. Obviously station owners aren't going to take this step as a group on their own, and because it really has to be a national initiative, the federal government has to become involved.

What's needed is a federal law requiring all gas stations in every state to install at least one functioning and highly visible CNG pump within a certain time frame.

Drivers will warm to natural gas cars when they see CNG pumps alongside gasoline pumps at every gas station. Demand for conversion units will also rise, and with some help from higher petroleum prices in the future, Americans will finally see the way to unite and declare their second revolution: This time for energy independence.

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