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Jerry Ball posted the link The GET, Grand Energy Transition by Robert A. Hefner III, TheGET

Check out this amazing book. For supporters of NGV's and CNG energy this is a must read and something the Army needs to promote and act on!

October 28

Comment Wall (8 comments)

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At 7:44pm on October 27, 2009, Chris Schneider said…: When was the last time you drove 795 miles in 1 day? To top that feat, I drove 795 miles in 1 day on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
I enjoy these rare opportunites to go to a public refueling system. It gives me a chance to see & experience new locations with new or different CNG refueling equipment. It also gives me a chance to accurately measure my fuel efficiency and the results were astounding.
Let's start this story in La Crosse, Wi with an 8 gallon tank full of CNG. Imagine driving 273.1 miles to the north side of O 'Hare Airport along Interstate 90 at 65 mph and refuel 5.429 gallons of gasoline equivalent (GG). A simple calculation 273.1/5.429=50.3 MPG! Astounding. And Ryan assisted me in the refueling process very professionally. But, since this is one of the few public refuleing systems in Chicagoland, I was charged $2.19 per GGE resulting in a charge of $11.88. Now, I know what you're thinking, how can you not be elated about driving 273.1 miles on $11.88. For instance, if your neighbor gets 48 mpg in their Toyota Prius, it would have cost them $15.30 or 29% more. But wait, this is just the 1st part of this astounding story.
Now, let's continue our journey east on I90 to my alma mater, Notre Dame to see none other than T. Boone Pickens! He engaged an audience of approximately 500 people about CNG as a transportation "bridge" to return to American fuel that is 50% more clean than diesel that we import from our enemies. He predicts that oil will reach $300 per barrel in 10 years. I get to shake his hand and give him a copy of our video, Journey to the Zone that is posted on my Pickens Plan page. It is a small example of our regional efforts that are dwarfed by the $62 million that he has spent inthe last 16 months across America.
Let's pop back into my 2006 Honda Civic GX (3rd generation of CNG Civics produced in America) and drive through the rain, road repair and speeds of downtown Chicago traffic to Racine. The rain and speeds reduce my mileage to 48.54 MPG but I refule for $1.109 for CNG! In total I have travelled 562.2 miles on $18.49 giving me an average of 30.4 MILES PER DOLLAR (MP$). Going back to your neighbors Prius getting 48 mpg, with gasoline at $2.69/ gallon, they would have gotten 17.84 MP$. I have completed my measured portion of the days adventure getting 70.4% better MP$ than a Prius. And that includes nearly half the trip calculations at fuel prices that are approximately double what you could refuel in your home with natural gas.
The third leg included more road construction, rain and finally fog but the Honda Civic GX slogged through 795 miles.
273.1 miles@50.3mpg@$1.109gge=$6.02
289.1 miles@48.54mpg@$2.109=$13.04
232.8 miles@48.54mpg@$1.109gge=$5.32
TOTAL 795 miles $24.38
If your vehicle gets 25 mpg, it would have cost you $85.54 to make the same trip. Saving $61.16 feels great but using clean American fuel is the part that T. Boone Pickens would appreciate for his grandchildren.

At 7:18pm on October 27, 2009, Chris Schneider said…: Jerry, We conduct 1 SAT 1 every month the 1st SAT at 1 pm. I refuel with a Phill system. Give me advanced notice and pump up those tires and slow down by driving HWY33 all the way to LaX 180 miles. You will need 3 hours of refueling.

At 10:49pm on September 27, 2008, Jerry Ball said…: Hi Chris,

Yes I've been very blessed with having 4 fast fill stations along my commute from West Bend to Downtown Milwaukee. East Side as you mentioned in WB, a Citco in Saukville, and two WE Energies fills in MKE I pass by, one being only 5 blocks from my downtown office. I paid $1.59/GGE yesterday at the one near my office.

No I have not heard about the MREA Energy Fair. Where can I get more info on that? BTW do you work for the Honda dealer in LC.? I tried getting a used GX from that dealer but couldn't get one that was available at the time. I purchased a new 2007 in May of this year from a factory dealer in Columbus, Ohio. Do I ever love it. Just need to get more CNG stations going. I hope with the Pickens Plan helping that will happen.

Take Care,
Jerry

At 4:06pm on September 27, 2008, Chris Schneider said…: Jerry,
Thanks for becoming involved with the Pickens Plan.

Pickens Plan is helping Americans see the light when it comes to transportation using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). I am envious of your proximity to CNG refueling in West Bend. I refueled my 2007 Honda Civic GX (CNG) on Sept. 9 for $1.869 per gallon of gas equivalent (GGE) at East Side Mobil on East Washington. They are open from 7 am - 10 pm and except credit cards. It is so easy for someone in you area to get involved in the Pickens Plan transportation solution.

We need to work on our movement toward solar and wind for home power as well. And I will be happy to let you know about events in your area that support these efforts. Are you aware of the MREA Energy Fair near Stevens Point in June?

Thanks,
Chris Schneider
La Crosse, WI
Hybrid Guru
CNG proponent
www.hope3.org
PS check out www.hybridcarstore.com and click on Civic GX for availability in La Crosse, WI.

At 11:06am on September 7, 2008, Terry Pickard said…: Jerry, it appears that the Civic GX is only avail in California and New York. Where did you get yours, and where do you go for service?

At 9:04am on September 4, 2008, Terry Pickard said…: Jerry, I am impressed! You have done the research, done the math, and fit the solution to your needs. I don't have a regular commute, but I will look into a NGV before I buy anything. I would guess that in the future the same car would be able to burn Hydrogen with very little if any modification? If so, the infrastructure (natural gas pipelines) is already in place to distribute either gas or hydrogen, which would reduce and eventually eliminate much of the shipping of oil to refineries, and truck transportation of gasoline to stations, further reducing the pollution caused by transportation, and easing a bit of the traffic burden as well. It may even be possible to create home refueling stations, as nearly every home has natural gas pipes or propane tanks already. When one thinks about all the impacts it will have, the switch to natural gas will make a dramatic improvement in our world when it gets established.

At 1:43pm on September 3, 2008, Terry Pickard said…: Thanks for the reply Jerry. When the time comes for us to get a new car, we will need to choose something very practical, with hi gas mileage and no travel limits. With the limited availability of Nat Gas refueling points across the country, why did you choose a CNG vehicle instead of something like a Toyota Prius that gets 48 mpg? Is the Honda only for local commutes? Also, did you have to special order it as a CNG?

At 12:56pm on September 2, 2008, Terry Pickard said…: Where do you refuel? What if you travel? Can it be easily converted to Hydrogen, and will it burn any other fuel. or just Nat Gas? I would like to know more...
Terry Pickard