During the Gas Supply Conference in Ft. Myers, FL earlier this month the American Public Gas Association (APGA) Board approved the creation of a Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) Task Force. APGA says the creation of the Task Force is particularly timely given the increased interest in NGVs in the US and due to the projected changes in energy prices in both the short and long-terms.
From November of 2010 to the present, the price of gasoline and other energy commodities has increased significantly. The combination of stronger global demand for oil, the approaching U.S. peak driving seasons, and the instability in the Middle East has driven the national average price per gallon for gasoline to approximately $3.13. A large number of analysts are projecting that prices for gasoline will hit $4.00/gallon or more by the summer and long-term trends point to even higher prices over the next several years.
Given the bleak outlook on gasoline prices, there is a significant opportunity for the newly created NGV Task Force to aid member systems and their communities in the transition to NGVs. The transition to NGVs has significant potential to reduce dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, and save taxpayers’ money. To that end, the Task Force will focus on three key areas:
1. To act as a clearinghouse of information on NGVs;
2. To provide advice to APGA members on matters about NGVs; and,
3. To play the active and leading roles in APGA’s NGV-related advocacy efforts.
This item compiled using information from an APGA press release.
Editor’s note – APGA is a member of and works closely with NGV Global’s US Affiliate, NGVAmerica.