URGENT!

Here is the best/most pertinent information on CNG- how it is inhibited and what we can do to push it along! Thank you Jerry McDonald, for this outstanding message. This, in parallel with this morning's video from Boone, telling us that Senator Reid is publicly supporting CNG, but needs us to apply more pressure, shows us how critical this moment is. This is the opportunity we have been waiting for! CAN WE CLOSE THE DEAL?! WE MUST all follow through and reach out to our Senators today!

"There is much in the stimulus legislation that does align with the Pickens Plan but there is a sharp departure on the subject of natural gas vehicles, and that fact threatens to derail all our valiant efforts. So far the Congress has not specifically called out support for natural gas powering of heavy trucks and without specific sustenance for infrastructure and vehicle conversion the chance of reducing dependence on foreign oil is impossible.

Let me explain.
There are roughly 4 million diesel freight trucks on America’s roads. If we started converting this truck fleet to natural gas today it would take 10 years at 1,000 trucks per day! At its peak of production in 2006 there were 897,313 mid range to heavy duty trucks sold in the US. If we could convince all truck owners to buy new vehicles we would meet our goal in 5 years but is it practical to ask business to bear the entire replacement cost? If it were these shrewd business owners who KNOW their costs down to the penny would have taken advantage of existing tax credits to make the switch. So obviously something more has to be done. And here is where the stimulus package breaks down.

Boone has the right idea, Congress just isn’t listening. And the irony is Congress could stimulate this fleet to repower itself at virtually no cost. WHAT, stimulus at no cost? Read on and find out how small changes in regulation and shifts in funding would free us from the OPEC tax, stimulate new jobs and clean our air with no incremental cost.

A FAQ compiled by Natural Gas Vehicle for America makes the following abundantly clear:
- Capricious penalties imposed by the EPA scare truckers from choosing natural gas
- Bureaucratic red tape limits the options AND dramatically increases the cost for fuel conversions
- Federal alternative fuel tax incentives are written such that halt migration to an NGV fleet
(NGVAmerica is a national organization dedicated to the development of a growing, sustainable and profitable market for vehicles powered by natural gas or hydrogen. NGVAmerica represents more than 100 companies interested in the promotion and use of natural gas as transportation fuels.)

If you agree with the above, I implore you to appeal to federal legislators for the following:
- Legislation to amend the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 to make bi-fuel retrofits eligible for tax credit
- Through their office ask the EPA to place a moratorium on the $5000 per day penalty for operation of vehicles using non-certified natural gas fuel systems
- During the period of the moratorium fund the EPA to expand assistance to manufacturers of natural gas vehicle bi-fuel retrofit and conversion systems seeking certification

By all accounts it will take a ‘moon shot’ effort to unhook us from foreign oil but we can move this mountain one shovel full at a time. Relaxing these regulations doesn’t require sweeping policy changes or billions of dollars and the risk of harm is exponentially outweighed by the potential for good. Good for American security, good for the American economy and good for the environment. " - Jerry

Please call your Senators today. Tell them how urgent it is that CNG be a part of the stimulus package. Please let us know when you call them - Boone is keeping track of how many calls are made. THIS is the moment we have been building for since June when this Plan first came online. THIS is our golden opportunity to get off of foreign oil and become energy independant once and for all!

Best to everyone
KIM

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Comment by keith on February 7, 2009 at 10:59am: How about eliciting the teamsters? Certainly the manufacturers have a lobby as well.

Comment by mark ruhnke on February 6, 2009 at 10:09am: Hello, I just sent an emial to Mr. Chuck Schumer, throught the US senate web page, to support the Pickens Plan and the development of CNG in the stimulus plan.
Mark R

Comment by Jerry McDonald on February 5, 2009 at 9:14pm: I am indeed humbled by the response and have to disclaim authorship of the three suggestions. The true credit must be given to the folks at NGV America. I think it might be a good idea to direct our message to the EPA too. They are in fact the authors of the restrictive rulings and are in fact negligent in providing a certificatoin path for bi-fuel retrofit kits.

Comment by Kathleen McClafferty on February 5, 2009 at 4:19pm: OK, I finally got through to one of my senators, Gillibrand, and I asked her to include CNG in the stimulus package. I asked that she support the legislation and take the actions necessary to facilitate a transition to natural gas fuel for our heavy vehicles. The aide was willing to listen to details, so I listed Jerry's 3 suggestions above and the other 2 suggestions from Jan 29 (1. Increasing the vehicle tax credit to make natural gas trucks more accessible for heavy and medium duty truck operators, and 2. Extending the fuel tax credit.) The aide promised to pass along my comments.

A also sent emails to both of my senators (while I was waiting for their phones to open up!).

Comment by Kathleen McClafferty on February 5, 2009 at 3:39pm: Well, I haven't been able to get through to my senators all day! Busy signals in DC, and no answer at Schummr's NYC office. I'll keep trying.
But, I did plug this issue on the barackobama.com website, through a question feature they're using for this weekend's "Economic Recovery House Meetings" (I think they were organized by wecansolveit.org). I included Jerry's 3 ideas, plus the 2 from the Jan 29 phone calls to our House Reps.

Comment by Quinta Wilkinson on February 5, 2009 at 1:02pm: Thanks for the info.

Comment by Janice Brown on February 5, 2009 at 12:26pm: Hi Kim, I think we are closer now, than we ever have been before, to changing the way we use tax payer dollars, when it comes to Energy Policy. I am so angry right now because of the status quo in Congress holding up vital legislation. Here, because we all believe in T. Boone Picken's Plan, you are preaching to the choir. What we really need to do, is make it abundantly clear to those obstructionist members of Congress, that they will not be able to obstruct anything after the next Congressional elections, if they don't allow the President to impliment his Energy Policies, which contain funding for the green ideals we are backing, along with Mr. Pickens. I hope our calls, faxes and e-mails will be enough because it seems that this past election results is having no effect on how business is done up on Capital Hill. This stimulus plan is only a beginning but it is a start. We need to Get 'er done!

Comment by Jon R Herbold on February 5, 2009 at 11:30am: Is anyone else conflicted about all of this? While I totally support the PP, I strongly object to the position that is being taken about the "Buy American" provision. No longer is it necessary that all work/products purchased through the $9B initiative be by Americans. The money can go to illegal immigrants or overseas to China (etc.). Don't we need to keep our money here in America at least until the economy catches hold?

Comment by Paul (Pete) High on February 5, 2009 at 10:21am: I called my Senators (Jim Webb D-VA and Mark Warner D-VA) yesterday and asked them to support the needed legislation to permit a reasonable transition to natural gas fuel for our heavy vehicles.

Comment by Jerry McDonald on February 5, 2009 at 10:13am: Thanks Trace you are correct, the technology is ready. Omnitek is a perfect example of proven technology. Interesting fact – the Omnitek kit is working today in all brands of diesel trucks worldwide but illegal in the US. We make it here but it can’t be used here. Can you believe it! Even more incredible – the EPA will not even provide guidance on their certification process to manufacturers like Omnitek.
And tax credit for refueling stations is equally perplexing. A federal tax credit of up to 30,000 per station exists but bear in mind a retail fueling station averages $2.5 million for storage and dispensing hardware alone.