| The race is on to find suitable replacement fuels for | | | | comprised of methane. The global supply is quite |
| the planet's rapidly dwindling petroleum reserves. One | | | | substantial at this point, and the U.S. even produces |
| of the easiest and most cost effective alternatives is | | | | quite a bit of it domestically. It must first be processed, |
| compressed natural gas which is produced | | | | removing impurities and other fuels like propane that |
| domestically, and is far less of a pollutant than regular | | | | can be used to fulfill other fuel needs. |
| gasoline. It can be used in your average, every day | | | | In order for it to be useful, the gas has to be |
| combustion engine and it is the least expensive of all | | | | pressurized over 200 times the normal atmospheric |
| the other alternative fuels out there, making it worthy | | | | pressure. This is done by storing it in large, bulky tanks |
| of examination. Some vehicles, for example certain | | | | which are usually affixed to the bottom of the vehicle, |
| airport shuttles, already use this kind of fuel, and have | | | | or inside the trunk. In order to actually use natural gas in |
| for many years. Presently there are approximately | | | | your car, you'll have to modify your vehicle, requiring an |
| 150,000 vehicles on American roads that use CNG, | | | | initial investment to make it a viable option. Buying a |
| and over 7 million vehicles worldwide. | | | | new CNG car will run you several thousand dollars |
| The world's cleanest running internal combustion | | | | more than a similar car that runs only on regular petrol. |
| vehicle, the Honda Civic GX, runs on compressed | | | | And then there is the issue of trying to find CNG |
| natural gas. This amazing car can drive from coast to | | | | stations in your area. |
| coast and produce less non-methane hydrocarbons | | | | The biggest problem is that like oil, natural gas is a |
| than what is contained in a single teaspoon of regular | | | | non-renewable resource and is not a viable permanent |
| gasoline. Another benefit of compressed natural gas is | | | | solution for the planet's fuel needs. Another concern is |
| that in the even there is a spill, it quickly dissipates in to | | | | that a great deal of natural gas produced in our |
| the air, rather than spilling all over the ground or leaking | | | | country is already spoken for and used by consumers |
| in to the water. | | | | for things other than automobiles. In order to fulfill the |
| Natural gas is found underground with petroleum and is | | | | U.S. fuel requirements, we will still have to rely primarily |
| also retrieved through drilling. The majority of it is | | | | on foreign production. |