Paul Killinger

The Current Stagnation of Natural Gas Vehicles in America

Isaac,

The reason there are so many CNG refueling stations in Canada is believe it or not, GM and Ford build 19 models of NGV's there.

They also made several dual-fueled (CNG + gasoline) cars and light trucks in the U.S. between 2000-05. That's what used car buyers in OK and UT buy on e-Bay where they fill up for less than the equivalent of $1 per gallon.

The Current Stagnation of Natural Gas Vehicles in America

Michael,

One other thing about methane (NG) is we're not about to run out of it. Not only do we have 120 years of PROVEN domestic reserves on hand, but we're finding more all the time.

But the real breakthrough will come with gas hydrates. They contain a mindboggling 160X (!) the energy of traditional NG, and the Japanese will have theirs in production during the coming decade. The U.S. also has tremendous known hydrate reserves offshore, that is if our government will let us develop them.

The truth is we have all kinds of energy available, and we also know how to build efficient nuclear reactors. So I go back to my statement about Obama's crew CONTROLLING THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION. In the energy arena at least, it's already happened.

The Current Stagnation of Natural Gas Vehicles in America

Let me add my vote to the others. You did some very in-depth research on this vitally important energy issue, and those of us who advocate the use of NGV's in the USA very much appreciate that.

But the oil companies aren't your enemies here, they're on your side. When they explore the OCS, they're not sure if they're going to find oil or natural gas. They produce both, and are elated to discover either.

My own conclusion is that our domestic energy and mining companies are at the top of Obama's hit list, which is why he and his cohorts would rather see America go dark (which is where we're headed) rather than have them be successful.

We are the only nation in the world that boycotts our own domestic energy production. When they discover oil or gas in the Middle East, the North Sea, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, or China (you get the idea), they hold big parties. Conversely, we enact moratoria and ridiculous environmental policies to keep from finding (or producing) it in the first place.

We do so to our detriment. NO country in the history of the world has been economically successful without utilizing its own least cost domestic energy reserves.

But even this isn't the height of our energy folly. Now our political leaders have decided to stake our economic future on so-called renewable energy sources and untested EV's instead. Today renewables account for about .35 percent of our domestic energy production. They want to double that to a whopping .7% (that's right, 7/10 of 1 percent!) during the next decade.

And spending billions of dollars on EV's is even dumber. The long awaited Chevy Volt will cost $45K, including its $15K REPLACEABLE battery pack. Or you can buy a Tesla for a measly $100K, and drive 40 miles between rechargings.

My own suspicion is that's not Obama & Co's. real objective in any event. All this is just a feint to convince us they're doing something. Their real goal is to CONTROL THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION of our nation's energy, transport, banking, medicine, education and anything else they can get their hands on.

How silly of me. That would mean we're headed to becoming a Socialist society. And we all know that's not possible.

Short Stories: General Motors, BP

There's almost nothing left to short, is there? The stock can only go to zero.

Six Companies Poised to Gain from a Natural Gas Auto Mandate

And while stock gains would be nice, this is REALLY the place where Obama's 2 (or is it 3 or 4?) million new jobs could come from. Producing NG, building new CNG facilities, coverting vehicles, and installing and operating wind turbines is where the real new JOBS payoff would be.

Six Companies Poised to Gain from a Natural Gas Auto Mandate

The sad part is Detroit (for once) was right on top of this trend. They built several dual-fueled (gasoline and NG) models here between 2000-05, and still sell 19 such versions in Canada. But the Congress never gave them a hand, opting to support unproven and prohibitively expensive EV's instead

Six Companies Poised to Gain from a Natural Gas Auto Mandate

Right on, gents. Let's get with it!

And you all failed to mention methane hydrates. We have vast domestic resources of this form of NG, which contain 160X (!) the energy of the traditional version. Of course, we'll have to license the production technology from the Japanese, who expect to be producing this product commercially within a few years. But that's alright, they'll be building our cars by then, as well.

Demand More for Your Auto Bailout Dollar; Oil Patch Should Bounce Back Long Term

First off, let's put the blame for the demise of Detroit where it belongs, on the automakers and their unions themselves. The Detroit 3 had their elected representatives and lobbyists legislate loopholes in CAFE that they could drive a truck or SUV through (and did!). And their unions negotiated contracts with legacy costs that would make Karl Marx blush.

That's where we are right now. Now the current Congress is going to spend hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars in an attempt to bail them out. But markets are a funny thing. Once consumers develop a perception about the quality and utility of the products they buy, they don't change their minds quickly.

Of course, neither do the people who got us here. Auto managers are busy introducing new TRUCKS and SUV's, despite the fact that they can't unload the ones they've got. And their employees have somehow come to the delusion that the rest of us owe them a living.

So don't look for any changes in Detroit anytime soon. Regardless of how much money they're handed, they're not going to change a thing. The only way they're going to survive (IF they do) is to face the realities they are now confronted with and manufacture products people want to buy.

Once they're cut off from taxpayer gifts, maybe they will.

British Petroleum Moves into Arkansas with Chesapeake Energy Shale Purchase

Gee, does that mean the U.S. has TOO MUCH NG? Why, that's going to be TERRIBLE for consumers and our economy, especially once it gains a foothold as a replacement for oil as a transportation fuel.

Outlook for Oil Services and Drilling

Good stuff! Thanks.

Do Stock Screeners Work? Three Inexpensive, Reliable Energy Plays

Those big oils are down on the prospect of Russian takeovers.

Russian Assertiveness Should Give Western Investors Pause

You're right, Selene. NObama would be a wordwide favorite. Especially with his fellow Socialists in Europe, Russia and China.

Houston to Obama: Smell the Oil

Saul,

Not only one of the best posts of the year, but you are surely in the running for title of the year with, "Houston to Obama!"

Thanks for the time and effort on our behalf, my friend.

Houston to Obama: Smell the Oil

AlexS,

The only "Change" we need is to remove the Democrats from power once more so we can STOP adopting the myriad laws, regulations and resulting lawsuits they and their Socialist friends just love, which are CHOKING the manufacturing and mining sectors of our economy. Then maybe we can get back to living normal, productive lives once more, instead of having to waste so much time concerning ourselves with their childish nonsense.

Can Big Oil Balance Shareholder Interest Against National Interest?

Sir, you are no more an advocate of "free markets" than your Green friends, their minions in the Congress or, for that matter, Joseph Stalin. Until you understand that you can't get MORE of something by taxing and unnecessarily regulating it, or attempting to litigate it out of business altogether, we're in for a rough ride, my friend.

But there's no talking to you, so I won't try. Either you don't see what's REALLY going on in Washington, or you don't want to. When will you all wake up? I already know the answer -- AFTER the coming DEPRESSION you and your fellow travelers cause, and then try to lay at the feet of those who warned you about it!