CNG Fuel

[PottercountyWXobserver]

Since my hydrogen thread got shot down, I figured I would make a thread on a more promising alternative at helping reducing CO2 emissions and practically eliminating smog. Switching over to CNG would reduce CO2 emissions 30-40% in just the transportation energy sector and would reduce particulate and other atmospheric emissions by 70-90% which would all but clear up the smog problem. Right now most CNG stations have been hovering around $1.77/gge and I actually found a station for less than a $1.00/gge! I can't believe the US only has 500 some fueling stations. I couldn't believe Iran is leading the charge in CNG transportation.

http://en.wikipedia....sed_natural_gas

http://www.fuelecono...ifueltech.shtml

http://www.altfuelpr...m/stations/CNG/

http://www.cngprices...station_map.php

http://www.afdc.ener...cator/stations/

The thing is, a CNG operated vehichle qualifies under the (ILEV) vehicle category which is the Inherently Low Emissions Vehicles. Quite a bit of incentives with this "semigreen" car. I see in California, CNG vehicles are allowed to access HOV lanes on the highways. Is this just a California incentive, or can any ILEV and (ZEV) zero emission vehicle access the HOV lanes that are generally reserved for car pooling? Like I see these lanes in Houston, but if I were to purchase a Honda Civic GX which I'm currently thinking of doing (reasonably priced around $27,000), will I still be able to drive on the HOV lanes? Maybe I should contact the Texas DOT for further information. You would think the DOE would make this a National incentive to encourage clean air vehicles. I think to add another incentive, one that owns either a ILEV or ZEV vehicle should be able to avoid tolls and should be able to receive a free EZ pass for driving.

[GaWx]

I'm very much in favor of this for reasons I've stated repeatedly in the past.