Bill to Jumpstart Natural-Gas Vehicles in Utah?
By Andrea Saul
mainstreetbusinessjournal.com
WASHINGTON - Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) joined with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to introduce a major piece of legislation aimed at jump-starting the use of natural-gas vehicles in Utah and elsewhere across the nation.
Natural gas is a clean source of fuel, which in most cases is significantly less expensive than gasoline per mile driven, Hatch noted at a press conference.
"In 2005, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, I was able to get the CLEAR Act enacted into law," Hatch said. "That legislation has promoted the purchase of alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles, alternative-fuel infrastructure and the use of alternative fuels in vehicles. I have been very pleased with the growth in the use of hybrid-electric vehicles in this country since the passage of the CLEAR Act, but I have been less pleased with the growth in natural gas as a transportation fuel. I believe strongly an extra push is needed to spur the greater use of natural gas and to get more natural gas vehicles on our roads."
The Menendez/Hatch Natural Gas Act (S. 1408) would extend the life of the CLEAR Act credits for natural-gas vehicles, natural-gas filling infrastructure and for the use of natural gas in vehicles. It also creates a new incentive for the manufacture of natural-gas vehicles and trucks.
"Utah has been a leader in the nation in pushing the use of natural-gas vehicles," Hatch said. "But there has been a shortage of natural-gas vehicles that are commercially available."
Robin Erickson, director of the Utah Clean Cities Coalition, said the coalition strongly encourages the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel.
"Natural gas emits practically no pollution, is more affordable and, most important, is a domestic fuel found in Utah and other states," Erickson said.
Hatch remarked: "Utah is in the position to continue to lead the nation in the utilization of natural-gas vehicles and in the placement of a network of natural gas filling stations. The governor has helped promote the goal of making Interstate 15 a natural-gas corridor. I applaud him for that and will work in the Senate and with the state to expand that network." |
