Using natural gas instead of gasoline or diesel to power vehicles is a low-cost, low-emissions solution for reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and urban smog. Natural gas-powered vehicles (NGVs) in use today are helping to improve air quality by displacing petroleum-powered cars, vans, trucks and buses which contribute about three fourths of the carbon dioxide pollution found in urban areas. In 2008, use of NGVs displaced almost 300 million gallons of petroleum use in the U.S. Increasing the use of natural gas, an abundant domestic resource, as a transportation fuel, is a national security imperative – 70% of the oil consumed by the U.S. is imported.
Clean Cities Program
Clean Cities is a government-industry partnership, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Program (VET), designed to curb the consumption of petroleum in the transportation industry. Clean Cities advances the use of alternative fuels and vehicles in a number of applications such as school buses, transit buses, airport vehicles, taxis and delivery fleets. The program expands key infrastructure partnerships and promotes advanced technologies to the general public.
$300 million in recovery act funds have been announced for the Clean Cities program. Funding requests must be submitted by state, local government or a metropolitan transportation authority AND a designated Clean Cities organization.
Natural Gas Resources and Publications
- NGVs: Progress on an Uphill Road: A report published by BAIRD which provides the policy context for natural gas vehicles along with current benefits and programs, list of key participants in the natural gas vehicles industry, economic benefits and much more information and resources pertaining to natural gas vehicles.
- Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica)
- List of Available Products: Guide to available natural gas vehicles and engines (mentioned in Jeff Clarke's presentation on the May 12 AGA teleconference)
- Fleets and Fuels: News and info on Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFLs)
- Magazine Autogas: International magazine covering NGV news from around the world
