Response From U.S. Senator Martinez

Dear Ms. Heater:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to take this opportunity to respond.

Natural gas currently provides 22% of the energy our nation uses but only 2.2% of the energy used for transportation. While demand for this domestically-available, cleaner-burning fuel has grown, a lack of natural gas fueling stations and infrastructure has limited the growth of natural gas vehicles. Transit buses and heavy duty vehicles that run on liquified natural gas have become commonplace throughout the United States, but natural gas infrastructure must be expanded greatly if we are to increase the number of family vehicles that are powered by natural gas. I will continue to support existing financial incentives for natural gas vehicles and the purchase of natural gas as a transportation fuel as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as we continue developing a competitive national energy policy. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the full Senate to promote energy independence.

As always, I appreciate hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional comments or questions. In addition, if you are interested in learning more about policy issues, please feel free to visit my website at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator