What's under the hood of a natural gas vehicle?

On the road...

Hello from the Heart of Dixie! As I work with my partners to develop viable energy projects, in my travels I am encouraged more and more every day that people are ready to break the grip of foreign oil on the United States. People are really engaged. They are as concerned about energy independence as they are about healthcare.

Regardless of what your preference and belief in energy solution to our present problem, it's is clear that whatever we do it must include every facet of energy production and include every viable form of energy we presently have at our disposal domestically...and it requires that we devote REAL resources to developing revolutionary technologies that will transform our energy economy.

Today, we had the opportunity to first visit with my good friend (and next U.S. Senator from Kentucky) Trey Grayson--present Kentucky Secretary of State. He gets the need for energy security and independence. He understands that it will take all forms of energy--including coal--and doesn't shy away from that position (nor does he equivocate that position). Then, we left the airport rally and headed to Atlanta, Georgia, where we met with folks from Alabama, Louisana and Mississippi about the potential for utilizing natural gas for transportation fuels. Clearly, we must deploy technologies that are 1) proven and 2) are reliable domestic energy sources. The United States, notably the South and Midwest, have great reserves of natural gas, which will provide us the pathway to energy independence as a clean, efficient and reliable transportation fuel.

CNG Energy, LLC is making great strides in our efforts to develop this market to provide natural gas for vehicles. We are building every day and continue to work to conclude agreements that will provide dependable, cheaper transportation fuel and to create good-paying jobs for Kentucky, as well as the region we are developing.

I am truly excited about the potential that NGV provides for cheaper and cleaner transportation fuel--and the success the future holds for our company as we move forward.

I welcome you comments and questions about CNG and the great potential for the new energy economy.

Pike County Energy Company Funded for NGV Research

(PIKEVILLE,KY) Pike County-based CNG Energy, LLC, an alternative energy company, was one of the companies hosted by Governor Steve Beshear on Monday at a luncheon and press conference announcing their selection by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation to receive a Kentucky New Energy Venture Fund grant for their natural gas-to-vehicle project.

The $30,000.00 grant will fund a technology and economic feasibility study to aid the company's planned commercialization of its natural gas vehicle business and utilization of natural gas resources throughout Kentucky as an alternative transportation fuel.

In partnership with the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, CNG Energy, LLC will conduct a technical review which will evaluate proven technologies and processes; in addition, CNG Energy will work with leading business experts to determine the proper commercialization path for natural gas-to-vehicle conversion and transportation fueling systems, including how to harness underutilized natural gas currently not in production.
Local attorney Jamie Hamilton, a senior partner in CNG Energy, LLC, said he was excited about the prospects for the new energy venture.

"In my opinion, this grant will provide the framework to enable us to implement a solid plan for natural gas vehicles. We need alternatives to petroleum-based transportation fuels and natural gas is the most readily available domestic energy source that can be utilized for transportation fuel."

Natural gas vehicles promoters, such as T. Boone Pickens, say natural gas provides a more reliable, cleaner, cheaper, and cost efficient fuel to traditional transportation fuels.
Roger Ford, a senior partner in CNG Energy, LLC, points to the need for energy independence as a need to look at domestic energy sources for transportation fuels.

"When you look at where we need to focus the effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, it is in the area of transportation fuels. Our dependence on foreign oil is increasing. When you look at what are the most viable resources, clearly natural gas is one source that is abundant, and environmentally sound. Natural gas has some transmission infrastructure in place to utilize it for transportation fuel supply," Ford said.

CNG Energy, LLC points to the success of its proposal that won the funding. The company met recently with Dr. Rodney Andrews and the staff at U.K. CAER to develop the specific scope of work for the study and is moving forward with the research on the project.

"We plan on building a solid set of deliverables--a plan that shows the best technology-- a plan that will be successful. Natural gas-to-vehicles is not experimental technology; it is being supported by both the public sector and by private industry worldwide. Thanks to support form Governor Beshear, Energy Secretary Len Peters, along with the Kentucky Science Technology Corporation, the Morehead State University Innovation Center, as well as Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning and Congressman Hal Rogers, Kentucky will be an energy leader. Through strategic partnerships and bi-partisan support, CNG Energy, LLC hopes to play a part in the effort," Ford said.