Right now, we are facing an energy crisis in this country. American taxpayers, being held hostage by foreign dictators, are paying $4 for a gallon of gasoline and sending $2 billion overseas for foreign oil every day. America needs a new direction for energy security, and it's time for natural gas to lead the way.
Our reliance on foreign oil is not just an economic problem, it is a major national security issue. The good news is the answer to both problems is literally right under our feet: American-made natural gas is the bridge fuel to energy security we have been looking for all along.
I introduced HR 1380, the Natural Gas Act of 2011, so that our nation can begin to fully utilize the enormous energy potential our 125-year supply of natural gas offers. This bill will not only significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also provides the American people with real options to fuel cars, trucks and transportation fleets, instead of $4-per-gallon gasoline.
Jump-starting the use of natural gas fuel in our nation's transportation sector just makes sense. The supply, technology and the need are all there - the only thing holding us back from making the jump is that natural gas vehicles are prohibitively expensive for most Americans. My bill removes that barrier by lowering taxes for the purchase or manufacture of vehicles that run on natural gas.
Natural gas is cleaner, cheaper, more abundant and best of all, it's American. Sixty-nine percent of the oil consumed in America is for transportation, two-thirds of which we import from foreign nations. By contrast, 98 percent of the natural gas we consume is produced in North America. Oklahoma is a leading natural gas-producing state.
I mentioned our 125-year supply, but it's important to note that every new natural gas field found is larger than the last. We have barely tapped the surface of natural gas potential and there is more than enough to use for utility purposes and transportation fuel.
A third major problem my bill will address is our environment. Converting just one traditional garbage truck to run on natural gas is the environmental equivalent of taking 300 cars off the road. Cities across the country can save on fuel costs, while also being environmentally friendly.
As a conservative, I believe we must address our growing energy needs without the old Washington politics of government mandates and never-ending subsidies. The Natural Gas Act is a market-driven program that will sunset after five years with zero government mandates or subsidies.
Lowering taxes to encourage the production and purchase of vehicles that run on cheaper fuel produced in America is not a subsidy, it's common sense.
We aren't picking winners and losers in the energy market. Natural gas picked us. As I said, it's cleaner, cheaper, more abundant and it's ours.
The only thing standing between us and a secure energy future are those who can't see the forest for the trees when it comes to taking advantage of the American-made energy resources in our own backyard. For years, Washington has paid lip service to the need for a national energy plan, and it has gotten us nowhere. American-made natural gas is a serious solution to a long-term national security issue. I encourage everyone to visit my website at www.tulsaworld.com/sullivannatgas and to join my grass-roots effort to secure our energy future.
By JOHN SULLIVAN
Source: www.tulsaworld.com
Our reliance on foreign oil is not just an economic problem, it is a major national security issue. The good news is the answer to both problems is literally right under our feet: American-made natural gas is the bridge fuel to energy security we have been looking for all along.
I introduced HR 1380, the Natural Gas Act of 2011, so that our nation can begin to fully utilize the enormous energy potential our 125-year supply of natural gas offers. This bill will not only significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also provides the American people with real options to fuel cars, trucks and transportation fleets, instead of $4-per-gallon gasoline.
Jump-starting the use of natural gas fuel in our nation's transportation sector just makes sense. The supply, technology and the need are all there - the only thing holding us back from making the jump is that natural gas vehicles are prohibitively expensive for most Americans. My bill removes that barrier by lowering taxes for the purchase or manufacture of vehicles that run on natural gas.
Natural gas is cleaner, cheaper, more abundant and best of all, it's American. Sixty-nine percent of the oil consumed in America is for transportation, two-thirds of which we import from foreign nations. By contrast, 98 percent of the natural gas we consume is produced in North America. Oklahoma is a leading natural gas-producing state.
I mentioned our 125-year supply, but it's important to note that every new natural gas field found is larger than the last. We have barely tapped the surface of natural gas potential and there is more than enough to use for utility purposes and transportation fuel.
A third major problem my bill will address is our environment. Converting just one traditional garbage truck to run on natural gas is the environmental equivalent of taking 300 cars off the road. Cities across the country can save on fuel costs, while also being environmentally friendly.
As a conservative, I believe we must address our growing energy needs without the old Washington politics of government mandates and never-ending subsidies. The Natural Gas Act is a market-driven program that will sunset after five years with zero government mandates or subsidies.
Lowering taxes to encourage the production and purchase of vehicles that run on cheaper fuel produced in America is not a subsidy, it's common sense.
We aren't picking winners and losers in the energy market. Natural gas picked us. As I said, it's cleaner, cheaper, more abundant and it's ours.
The only thing standing between us and a secure energy future are those who can't see the forest for the trees when it comes to taking advantage of the American-made energy resources in our own backyard. For years, Washington has paid lip service to the need for a national energy plan, and it has gotten us nowhere. American-made natural gas is a serious solution to a long-term national security issue. I encourage everyone to visit my website at www.tulsaworld.com/sullivannatgas and to join my grass-roots effort to secure our energy future.
By JOHN SULLIVAN
Source: www.tulsaworld.com
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