Congressmant Mike Ross' thoughts on natural gas production in Arkansas

We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Our country spends just over $300 billion a year importing energy from other countries, particularly those in the Middle East. We need to drill more here at home, which I’ve introduced a number of bills to do so. But, our energy plan cannot be narrow – we must pursue a broad, multifaceted energy plan that embraces all forms of American-made energy.

One part of the plan gaining in popularity is natural gas. Currently, natural gas supplies almost one-fourth of all energy in the U.S. and we’re discovering more natural gas reserves every day thanks to newer, safer drilling techniques and technologies. Better yet, more than 98 percent of natural gas comes from North America. It’s also much cleaner than coal, diesel or gasoline. In fact, natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel (about twice as clean as coal) and a highly efficient form of energy, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

How does this impact Arkansas? Currently, Arkansas is at the forefront of our nation’s natural gas production, ranking 7th out of the 32 natural gas producing states. With the Fayetteville shale in the northern part of the state and the Haynesville shale in the southern part, we have an abundant supply of clean, affordable energy to offer the world. Not only are we helping the U.S. secure its own energy future with domestic, home-grown energy, but we are also bringing more revenue and more jobs to the state of Arkansas.

The most promising aspect of natural gas is compressed natural gas, which can be used as a cheaper, more affordable alternative to gasoline or diesel. In fact, the gas equivalent of compressed natural gas is roughly $1.07 a gallon. This isn’t science fiction, either. Already, compressed natural gas vehicles are found all across the world – 10 million vehicles worldwide – and it has become a promising, growing market here in the U.S., with Arkansas leading the way.

To help more of you take advantage of this more affordable alternative to gasoline, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has expanded a popular compressed natural gas rebate program that now includes all eligible Arkansas vehicles.

Basically, this rebate program helps Arkansans who want to convert a gasoline-powered car to compressed natural gas or those who want to buy a new compressed natural gas vehicle. The rebates, which cannot exceed $25,000, are on a first-come, first-serve basis until the program expires in December 2011. For more information, visit www.arkansasenergy.org or call 1-800-558-2633.

This rebate program was funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which I supported, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by helping more Americans take advantage of compressed natural gas, benefiting Arkansas as a whole and pushing us along as a national leader in natural gas production.

I am also a proud cosponsor of the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011 ( or NAT GAS Act), H.R. 1380, which would help provide incentives to get more natural gas-powered vehicles on America’s roads, again helping to put Arkansas in a position to lead on this issue.

With serious investments in technologies like compressed natural gas, we have an opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil in a way that creates jobs here in Arkansas, protects our environment and lowers the price of fuel for all Americans.