October 2012
Columns
What's new in production
Since the problem with natural gas is excess production, too little demand, or both (the U.S. produces about 3 Bcf more than it can use), anything that helps goose the demand side would seem to make sense. A couple of years ago, a newspaper article about the future role of natural gas for powering vehicles debated the question of hybrid/electric versus natural gas used directly for engine fuel. A letter to the Houston Chronicle responded, “Using our natural gas resources to make electricity, which is then used to power electric motors, makes no sense whatever. The engines are there, the technology is there. The fuel is abundant and burns clean. Cut out the middleman! Run cars on CNG!”
