Background

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.

AGA Viewpoint

AGA Viewpoint on Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel - Natural gas vehicles are a proven way to improve air quality, while reducing the United Statesʼ dependence on foreign oil. 

American Gas Association's Statement for the record before the Energy and Environment Subcommittee hearing on April 28, 2010 supporting greater use of natural gas as a transportation fuel

American Gas Association’s Statement for the record for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on March 24, 2010 supporting greater use of natural gas as a transportation fuel

Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel: The Right Solution. The Right Time. (R. Jibson, J Norcia) - September 15, 2009

natural gas transportation collaborative

The Natural Gas Transportation Collaborative aligns natural gas producers and utilities to work together in promoting the increased use of natural gas as transportation fuel as a cost-effective, near-term, low-emissions solution to reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign energy and high-carbon transportation fuels. Natural gas-powered vehicles (NGVs) in use today are helping to improve air quality by displacing the petroleum-powered cars, vans, trucks and buses that contribute about three fourths of the carbon dioxide pollution found in urban areas.  At the same time, these vehicles are displacing national use of oil – about 70% of which is imported – with an abundant domestic resource. Members of the Natural Gas Transportation Collaborative are working together to advance the development and use of natural gas transportation options, help secure our nation’s energy future, and contribute to important environmental objectives. On May 16, 2010 the Board of Directors met and each of the four following task force committees provided news and updates: Fleet Conversion and OEM Outreach, Legislative Advocacy, Infrastructure Development and Business Models, and Marketing and Education. More information about the meeting can be found in the attached document below.

Natural Gas Transportation Collaborative Meeting

On July 23, AGA and America's Natural Gas Alliance filed comments with the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the agency's proposed rules to streamline the process for obtaining certifications allowing the conversion of vehicles and engines to run on natural gas. The Collaborative argued that the overarching goal should be to increase the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel by putting more natural gas vehicles on the road consistent with improved air quality.

Fleet Management:  Utility Experiences

• AGA Best Practice Program Fleet Management
• SEU Fleet GHG Reduction Program  (July 2009)

stimulus funding for nGV Projects

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.

• DOE Announces Clean Cities Award Winners NEW
• DOE Funding Notice
• Clean Cities DOE Fact Sheet
• Clean Cities Coalition Locations
• Clean Cities Coordinators by State
• Clean Cities Grant Solicitation: DE-PS26-09NT01236-04
• Clean Cities News: Official Publication of the Clean Cities Program

Other Funding Opportunities

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Diesel Emission Reduction Program
• Federal Transit Administration Capital Expenditure
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG)
• U.S. General Services Administration Federal Fleet Acquisitions
• Transportation Energy Efficiency Funding Opportunities in ARRA (ACEEE summary)

 For an overview of all NGV stimulus provisions see NGVAmerica ARRA Fact Sheet.

General NGV Resources and publications

• Energy Policy - Clean & Green.  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.
• Argonne Transportation - NGV Tool for Calculating Fleet Emission: Spreadsheet that uses the GREET model to quantify the benefits of replacing your fleet with NGVs, by calculating wells to wheels, GHGs, CO, VOC, and NOx.
• 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
• Natural Gas Solutions - NGVs

AGA Contact:  Charlie Fritts, (202) 824-7220, cfritts@aga.org 
                       Courtney Brown, (202) 824-7229, cbrown@aga.org