Two aggressive new bills were introduced in July 2008:

New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions  (NAT GAS Act)

The NAT GAS Act by U.S. Congressmen Rahm Emanuel and Dan Boren sets a goal of increasing the use of natural gas vehicles in America by 10% over the next 10 years. The act is designed to work by offering incentives on three levels – to automakers, consumers and gas station owners – in an effort to encourage the purchase, usage and sale of natural gas vehicles.

For automakers specifically, the NAT GAS Act provides a production tax credit to encourage the manufacture of natural gas vehicles as well as $5 billion in bonding authority to encourage the retooling of manufacturing facilities to produce natural gas vehicles.

Additional incentives include:

• A $90,000 tax credit to  
  encourage  gas station owners
  to install natural gas fuel pumps.

• $2.6 billion in bonding authority to
  states to provide no- or low-
  interest loans to service stations 
  to install natural gas pumps.

• A requirement for gas stations
  owned by the major oil companies to install at least one 
  natural gas pump in each station by 2018.

• Consumer tax credits for the purchase of natural gas vehicles 
  and the cost of converting their cars to run on natural gas.

• Consumer tax credits for Americans to purchase home 
  refueling units.

Drive America on Natural Gas Act

The Drive America on Natural Gas Act by U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe would add natural gas to the current Renewable Fuels Standard mandates, thereby encouraging the use of a proven alternative fuel and motivating manufacturers to consider CNG as a viable alternative. The act would also broaden the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit to include bi-fuel vehicles and establish a state demonstration program to streamline the regulations and certifications currently required for the conversion of vehicles to natural gas.

Our government is taking steps to make it easier and more efficient for manufacturers to produce these vehicles. But there is much more to be done. Join the mission. Be informed, know what legislators are doing and support the efforts. Together, we can drive change now.