Natural gas is an underused resource

Mike Dix, Las Vegas

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 | 2:03 a.m.

A number of letters to the editor and articles appear in the Sun regarding U.S. energy independence and how to achieve it. A good example is a recent letter headlined “Future of this nation depends on renewable energy.”

There is another way we can become energy independent, based on the following facts:

1. The U.S. has an unlimited supply of natural gas. We had enough to be independent even before shale gas was recently discovered in eight states.

2. If all vehicles (cars, trucks, railroads, etc.) were converted to natural gas, we would not have to import any oil.

3. Natural gas vehicular technology is fully proven and demonstrated. A few companies and state, county and city governments, including some in Nevada, use natural gas to fuel vehicles.

4. Natural gas combustion products pollute much less than those of gasoline or diesel.

While it seems simple enough to convert vehicles and gas stations to natural gas applications, there is no such infrastructure program. What is needed are filling stations and vehicle engines converted to the use of natural gas.

The answer to U.S. energy independence is right in front of our noses here, but we seem helpless to apply it. What a shame.

One good thing is that natural gas is gradually replacing coal to produce electrical power and electrical heating.