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Natural Gas is the Next Logical Step in US Energy

OIL Price -- The term “logical” may not be strong enough – “only” is certainly more appropriate. The story however remains the same. We are finding more reserves of natural gas, drilling more, watching prices decline, and yet using only slightly more.

It is clear that the U.S. is between the proverbial rock and a hard place with respect to its dependency on fossil fuels. We are indeed a carbon based economy, and with low prices and abundant availability one would think the demand for natural gas would be sky-high. So then why is the consumption of natural gas stick in the mud?

A look at the energy industry from source to demand sectors may shed some light on this anomaly.

The figure below shows the big picture: U.S. primary energy consumption by energy source from 1980 to 2010, with projection to

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Submitted Jul 23, 2012 By: mastermariner

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 6:02:34 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse logical step maybe. Savings for the consumer? Definitely not.
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,669 Points:1,871,075 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 9:29:40 AM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse Good for big rigs as of yesterday. In using natgas for cars we are behind even india and pakistan.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,772 Points:1,866,035 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 3:06:02 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse UNSAFE !!!
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,728 Points:1,662,765 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:06:18 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Yes, and only one part of what's needed. It's ALL needed.
SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,057 Points:793,605 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 9:46:11 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse From the article: "Another argument states that damming interrupts the flow of rivers and can harm local ecosystems, and building large dams and reservoirs often involves displacing people and wildlife. However, unconventional hydropower using currents, waves, and tidal energy to produce electricity is less disruptive and qualifies as renewable." =================================================================== The problem with energy production is that WE THE SHEEPLE allow the "greenies" to use fearmongering tactics to destroy energy production and the economy with it. Almost EVERY form of energy has this extreme environmental movement in some sort of opposition and politicians willing to accept campaign donations for their services to destroy our country. The above cited example is only one of the myriad of their exaggerated claims used to bolster promotion of their religion. And you can believe that worship of "Mother Earth" is at the very heart of this movement. These hypocrites can usually be seen driving a carbon emitting vehicle sporting a bumper sticker advising us to fight smog by riding a horse. Twenty years ago "nuclear" energy was the big boogeyman. Nuclear energy is still one of the safest and cleanest forms of energy yet devised, but that is NOT what BO and his "greenies" truly desire. Rather, they prefer the complete shutting down of our economy. Since everything runs on ENERGY, this is what they are attacking. Today the big energy menace is "Coal" which provides the least expensive cost of electricity generation. Once they become successful in forcing coal down the proverbial memory hole, natural gas will become the next target. Until YOU and I put a stop to this and elect Congress Critters who will start thinking national security and use a little common sense when faced with these false eco-claims, things will only worsen.
FuelishGuy All-Star Author Edmonton Posts:796 Points:926,310 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 8:00:18 PM Ignore FuelishGuy Report Abuse Hate to say it but you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it.
RalphHightower Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,309 Points:690,455 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 6:18:00 PM Ignore RalphHightower Report Abuse A power company will convert their coal-fired plant to natural gas and then shut that plant down when another nuclear plant goes online. Lake landmark to come down
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,404 Points:1,356,845 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 12:12:34 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse There doesn't seem to be a consensus on this issue.
Soglaos Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,771 Points:741,155 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:57:25 AM Ignore Soglaos Report Abuse No it is NOT!
Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,852 Points:642,870 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:53:45 AM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . HELLO! That and Drilling, Nuclear, and Coal!
Bigtex09 Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,293 Points:1,160,260 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:51:01 AM Ignore Bigtex09 Report Abuse yes it is!
TRYWI All-Star Author Appleton Posts:898 Points:282,150 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:38:21 AM Ignore TRYWI Report Abuse You think?
BudsterMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,715 Points:704,905 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:07:44 AM Ignore BudsterMO Report Abuse There is a huge opportunity for an auntrapraneur to provide the CNG original equipment and home refuelling equipment at same as gasoline engine prices; which would remove the cost and refuelling objections from the market place. Once the user base grows the oil and gas Companies would add CNG refuelling stations at their gasoline stations.
toxigas Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,217 Points:408,265 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:01:52 AM Ignore toxigas Report Abuse There is a reason why the authors spend words about whether the definition of "renewables" should include hydropower. But they don't come right out and say what the real ramification is. If you separate out "conventional" dam-based hydropower -- most of which was built decades ago -- but leave in "unconventional" wave/tidal/current and the other renewables (wind, solar, etc.) then it becomes starkly obvious that renewables are the fastest growing sector. Yes, renewables are currently the smallest contributor, but their growth rate is strongest and their impact is growing. One need only look at Germany which currently generates roughly 9% of its total energy from renewables (does not include dam-based hydro). There, the contribution from renewables has dramatically altered the price of electricity, in turn affecting the profitability of fossil fuels (especially coal, but which is also dragged by petroleum because of transportation costs). The authors of this article skirt around the big issue -- renewables increasingly threaten the profitability of fossil fuels. Instead they reach for a more comfortable conclusion (use more natural gas). Natural gas has a role to play, but long term I don't think it is as important as the authors suggest.
TXryder Champion Author Texas Posts:2,715 Points:433,705 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 11:01:07 AM Ignore TXryder Report Abuse Wish there was a simple and economical way of converting your auto to run on NG. But then find locations to refuel could be a problem unless you have NG in your home.
bobsalwaysmt Champion Author Long Island Posts:4,665 Points:266,040 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:55:52 AM Ignore bobsalwaysmt Report Abuse How about MANDATING that Utilities make it available to their customers. They have a monoply but won't run it 500+ yards to my house from the nearest "main".
ARCO Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,353 Points:2,378,345 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:51:51 AM Ignore ARCO Report Abuse KEEP USING IT
jat60 Champion Author California Posts:1,560 Points:654,425 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:44:06 AM Ignore jat60 Report Abuse Stevedog wrote: "40 years ago there was abundant availability of oil. Things change" This is true. There's still a lot of oil in the ground, but what's left is harder to reach, and more expensive to produce. This trend will continue. Eventually oil won't be a feasible means of providing our society's energy needs. This lesson should be applied to natural gas as well. It's becoming more attractive in the near term; but it's also a finite supply, and years from now will be in shorter supply. Natural gas is a fine short term solution. Ultimately we need a long term sustainable answer, though. The problem with politicians is that for decades, they've been saying "worry about what we need to get through the next 10-20 years, and 'someone else' will figure out the future". It's sad that people can't think beyond their own wallets (or political careers). [Edited by: jat60 at 7/23/2012 11:46:11 AM EST]
tes283 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:865 Points:368,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:42:21 AM Ignore tes283 Report Abuse We need to get off oil, so this is one way.
zaq001 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,985 Points:1,474,050 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:41:46 AM Ignore zaq001 Report Abuse cool
TWS658 Champion Author Portland Posts:4,543 Points:950,875 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:40:46 AM Ignore TWS658 Report Abuse The energy companies do not want to change the infrastructure, they want the government to make the change.
regasaz Champion Author Phoenix Posts:5,775 Points:1,282,380 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:35:27 AM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse Bring it on............ would expect to see Municipal usage leading the way.
Homito All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:880 Points:174,700 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:34:30 AM Ignore Homito Report Abuse if there would be enough natural gas stations.
Homito All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:880 Points:174,700 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:34:12 AM Ignore Homito Report Abuse I would rather consider natural gas.
Homito All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:880 Points:174,700 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:33:52 AM Ignore Homito Report Abuse we are hostages of the big economic predators.
bullfrog69 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,304 Points:835,010 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:33:26 AM Ignore bullfrog69 Report Abuse When you only get half the milage, then What tha HELL do ya expect!
ROSYMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,028 Points:369,500 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:33:01 AM Ignore ROSYMI Report Abuse we will see how long it takes
Car54BC08 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:4,259 Points:1,511,315 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:30:44 AM Ignore Car54BC08 Report Abuse I think we are just too lazy to change.
ktbaeohana Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,311 Points:422,975 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:29:58 AM Ignore ktbaeohana Report Abuse watch and see.
lonewolfhead Champion Author Texas Posts:1,652 Points:562,810 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:29:15 AM Ignore lonewolfhead Report Abuse ok
deaconjones Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,139 Points:319,155 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:28:07 AM Ignore deaconjones Report Abuse MAYBE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.....BUT NOT TODAY.....KICK OUT NOBAMA AND OPEN UP ALL DRILLING AND THEN WE CAN REVISIT.....
fieldt Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,935 Points:730,475 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:28:04 AM Ignore fieldt Report Abuse Bring it. Gotta be better than wind and solar have worked out so far.
VernonOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,920 Points:738,845 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:27:18 AM Ignore VernonOR Report Abuse Alternative energy is the way to go.
Stevedog Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,858 Points:1,946,870 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:27:03 AM Ignore Stevedog Report Abuse 40 years ago there was abundant availability of oil. Things change
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:16,611 Points:2,141,430 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:26:36 AM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse "Natural Gas is the Next Logical Step in US Energy" Don't confuse people with logic. Logic is way beyond some peoples comprehension. To some people, if it isn't powered by gasoline then they don't want any part of it, so to offer up anything logical is lost on them because they are closed minded. [Edited by: caddilac at 7/23/2012 11:30:44 AM EST]
91Explorer All-Star Author Dallas Posts:634 Points:1,130,490 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:26:05 AM Ignore 91Explorer Report Abuse CNG has had some structural problems with the vehicle market
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,496 Points:1,630,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:25:50 AM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse We are slow to change. Maybe someday, but not now.
F81M Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,504 Points:788,110 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:25:47 AM Ignore F81M Report Abuse Gas Buzzer really has it right!
Samo1961 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,900 Points:621,650 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:25:31 AM Ignore Samo1961 Report Abuse NG is the only true answer.
stueyAZ Sophomore Author Phoenix Posts:214 Points:23,870 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:24:32 AM Ignore stueyAZ Report Abuse Greeeaaaat!!
FedupwithGreed All-Star Author Victoria Posts:707 Points:163,930 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:23:01 AM Ignore FedupwithGreed Report Abuse OK
IMLURCH Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,189 Points:1,104,155 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:22:54 AM Ignore IMLURCH Report Abuse They can't make the excessive profits this way
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,415 Points:1,297,395 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:22:28 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse Thirty years from now, the experts will say that there was a missed opportunity to develop the use of natural gas. Just like the missed opportunity forty years ago to have the automakers bring high mpg vehicles to market. We wouldn't be the high price of gasoline situation today if they had more of a vision as to what the future might be.
MightyDude Champion Author Minnesota Posts:10,355 Points:2,649,720 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:21:45 AM Ignore MightyDude Report Abuse sounds reasonable
Topshopper2011 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,013 Points:277,340 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:20:33 AM Ignore Topshopper2011 Report Abuse True
mikesr11 Champion Author New York City Posts:3,506 Points:681,190 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:20:02 AM Ignore mikesr11 Report Abuse THAT'S TODAYS STORY - WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE PRICE IF WE REALLY BECAME DEPENDENT ON IT. GREED!
FunMyster All-Star Author Indiana Posts:907 Points:73,215 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:19:16 AM Ignore FunMyster Report Abuse I agree.
fatfed Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,870 Points:477,390 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:19:03 AM Ignore fatfed Report Abuse I think it is also
pmanning7843 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,686 Points:339,190 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:18:04 AM Ignore pmanning7843 Report Abuse ok
werv4fun All-Star Author Arkansas Posts:596 Points:298,865 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 10:17:49 AM Ignore werv4fun Report Abuse Wait until the Democrat Progresives figure a way to tax it until we can't afford it!