Alternative Fuels to Gasoline

I think the Alternative Fuel Industry can do what the start of the space program did in 1960. It can create a whole new industry that can create new jobs and help get America working. We need to get the American people behind the movement to push Congress to establish this new way of life. At the same time we can reduce, or eliminate, our dependence on outside countries that have been using our money to wage war against us.

Some of the urgency to revamp the way America's vehicles run:

• rising oil prices
  
• rig's shutdown by hurricans
  
• unrest in other oil producing countries
  
• world reserves are shrinking
• Since 1970, our dependence on imported oil has grown from 24% to nearly 70%
  
• We send billions of dollars out of our country every year
  
• America uses 25% of the world's oil, but only has 4% of the population and 3% of the world's oil reserves
  

Gasoline has been criticized for decades for its major contribution to air pollution and climate change. Gasoline is produced by crude oil, a fossil fuel. More than 90% of oil used to make gasoline is refined within the US; however, less than 35% of that oil actually comes the US.

Alternative Fuels:

Fueleconomy.gov is the official U.S. government for fuel economy information. Alternative fuels are derived from resources then petroleum have been identified. Some are produced domestically:

• The Electric Car

  Electric Cars You Can Buy Now or Soon

  Telsa Motors
  Their Model S, coming out on June 23,2012, will set the bar for electric driving range with a range up to 300 miles. The Model S comes standard with everything you need to plug into the most common 240-volt outlet, standard 120-volt wall outlets and public stations.

• Ethanol
  Produced domestically from corn and crops. Produces less green house emissions than conventional fuels

• Biodiesel
  Derived from vetable oil and animal fats

• Natural Gas
  Fossil fuel that generates less air pollutants and green house gases

• Propane
  Also called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a domestically abundant fossil fuel that generates less harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

• Hydrogen
  Can be produced domestically from fossil fuels (such as coal), nuclear power, or renewable resources such as hydropower. Fuel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful air pollutants

Ethanol Debate:

The federal government has been promoting ethanol for decades. The near-term advantages look promosing because in can be produced in large quantities and requires fewer technological break throughs and less infrastructure development than is needed to electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. yet scientists have raised concerns for three reasons:

• Unethical to produce fuel from a food crop, especially if it drives food prices up
  
• Ethanol contains less energy than gasoline and takes a lot of engergy to produce production.
  
• Clnflicting studies have shown that Ethanol may, or may not, increase emissions of carbon dioxide.

Natural Gas Debate - The Buy of the Decade:

• (Supply/Demand) - Massive Over-Supply/Increased Demand and Usage
  "Fracking" has brought about rapid growth in natural gas production and lower prices. However, producers are curbing productiont to tighten supplies and bring prices back up. The lower natural-gas prices has lead to increased demand as a cleaner energy source thAN coal or oil.
  - Companies involved in electricity, utilities, chemicals, steel, and aluminum are increasing their demand. - Natural gas is our country's second largest energy resource. While Natural Gas is cheap, currently less than 1% of natural gas is currently used for transportation.
  - Nuclear power not generates 20% of our electricity, but these plants are getting old and only a few nuclear plants are being built in the U.S.
  - U.S. coal plants generate more than 40% of our electricity but because of environmental reasons and economics of natural gas are so compelling, many are championing Natural Gas over coal because its cleaner and emits about 50% less carbon dioxide.
  - Wind and Solar will have a hard time competing again Natural Gas.
  - America's most profitable company, Exxon Mobil, has invented big in Natural Gas and now produces as much natural gas as it does oil.
  - Natural Gas is likely to keep expanding in transportation, powering cars, and commericial truck fleets.

• Prics for Natural Gas Outside of U.S. are Much Higher
  Prices in the U.S. are in the $2 range, while countries outside of U.S. are around the $10 mark. The reason for this is the lack of global trading markets and difficulty of shipping natural-gas outside of the U.S. So exporting LNG makes a lot of sense. Major companies in the U.S. are ramping up to build multi-billion dollar pipelines and LNG plants that will enable mass-transportation of natural gas around the world.

  * The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved three LNG export terminals and is considering up to four more leading to speculation that the U.S. will become a net exporter of LNG in 2016 *

• In the midst of a U.S. Presidential election, natural gas is likely to get a lot of attention as an alternative energy option.
  The CEOs of most major natural gas producers have vowed to bring attention to this resource and put pressure on legislators to give it greater attention.

• Cost of Gasoline vs. Natural Gas

• Natural Gas Vehicles

• Gasoline vs. Natural Gas

• Natural Gas Infrastructure

Natural Gas Stocks to Watch:

• Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE)
  They are currently contructing America's First Natural Gas Highway (ANGH) which will seek to take advantage of the trend towards natural gas as a fueling alternative.The first stage of ANGH will be contructing 150 fueling stations across the US Interstate system. 70 of these stations will open by the end of 2012, with the rest of the stations scheduled to be completed in 2013. These stations will provide super-cooled liquid natural gas, which is 400 times more compact than condensed natural gas.

• Westport Innovations (WPRT)
  Development and distribution of engine and fuel systems used in vehicles running on natural gas.

• Chart Industries (GTLS)
  The company's products are necessary for condensing gas into liquid which allows for easier transportation and storage.

• Golar LNG (GLNG)
  Discrepency in natural gas prices between United States and many other countries will result in Golar, who specializes in the transportation, regasification, and liquefaction of liquefied natural gas, growing to be more important as a middle man in the global natural gas trade.

• Chesapeake Energy Stake (CHK)
  The second-largest U.S. natural-gas producer, is seen as a potential target for acquisition on those willing to bet that natural-gas prices will rebound from decade low prices. Also Carl Icahn has a $785 Million stake in the company and is known for investing in companies and aggressively calling for change.

• Teekay LNG Partners (TGP)
  The world's third largest independent owner and operator of LNG vessels, providing LNG, LPG, and crude oil marine transportation services. Important because getting the oversupply of U.S. natural-gas to where it is needed, the far East Countries, require it be exported as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

• Integrys Energy Group (TEG)
  Has the ability to supply a variety of needed equipment to anyone looking to build a natural gas fueling station.

• Nabors (NBR)
  The world's largest onshore driller shares have been hurt by falling prices for natural gas and investor anger over executive perks and severance packages; Its domestic drilling business in the lower 48 states has performed well. Nabors' Alaska and offshore operations have rebounded and its overseas operations are recovering.