Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by 274fe3cm60wnm on January 3, 2014 at 2:02pm

IMO-- we won't see CNG at the pumps as you'd think..  What if I told you that you could fuel up at home for .75?  but that kills the taxes that pay for roads.  I think that the .30 per gallon tax is a way to drive us to natural gas-- but also pay for the roads with gasoline drivers' money.    The natural gas car-- and at home fuel will be one heck of a grow'n pain for everyone.  No more $2 candy bars-- fewer impulsive stops before or after buying fuel and that will impact many many people.  

natural gas stations need more than just a pump.  the station planned for Mansfield was nixed-- but it was selected based on a line running behind the Great Planes building...and the line that runs just behind it. 

The mayor of Williamsport, Dan Hawbaker and Mr Williams all have natural gas cars-- and they fuel at home.. nixing the tax paid.  They and others have told Drill'N Man news they spend less on other goods without those stops at the pump. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin on January 4, 2014 at 1:05am

I thought I just read an article(Oct.)  where the mayor of Williamsport sold his natural gas car because of no place to fill up on trips

Permalink Reply by 274fe3cm60wnm on January 4, 2014 at 1:58am

he didn't mention it last time I spoke to him---  he can fuel up at home in his garage-

Permalink Reply by Tim Tarr on January 4, 2014 at 4:02am

That advantage will soon go away when they start the mileage tax. Of course being that they don't like to give up any tax it may just be additional tax added to the current ones.

Permalink Reply by Kevin on January 4, 2014 at 7:25am

James, here's the story of the Mayor.

http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2013/10/28/why-the-mayor-of...

Permalink Reply by John Capwell on January 6, 2014 at 6:38am

I am a long time supporter of Natural Gas as a fuel in automobiles but the refueling issue is the problem. I believe we are seeing the future as trucking companies and bus companies, with their own refueling centers, convert to this fuel.  In the West, FedEx and UPS have some of their long haul trucks running on natural gas while in Pa even school buses are being converted to natural gas. The advantage of low taxes will disappear but the lower upkeep costs will not.  Fewer oil changes and lower pollution control cost will mean that the cleaner and more abundant fuel will gradually replace gasoline and diesel for certain applications.

When CNG is replaced by LNG the difference will be even more noticeable with vehicles gaining extended ranges before refueling is necessary. But like any new technology this will take time.  I do believe if we have reasonable LNG facilities we can displace propane as a heating source for rural America. There are challenges here but economic growth responds to challenges and we see a new boom industry.