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Liquid natural gas is currently the only viable alternative to diesel for long haul, heavy duty truck ing. These trucks get about 4 miles to the gallon as opposed to 6 miles per gallon for their diesel counterparts. Not sure how it would do in a boat, but based on the trucks they would have 1/3 less efficiency so would require 50% more fuel for the same range. LNG fuel would have to be stored cryogenically and vented.
The good news is:
-$2/gallon equivalent cheaper in price
-zero particulate emissions
-30% less CO2/greenhouse gas emmissions
-quieter
-reduces our dependence on foreign oil and single handedly could eliminate our need for ANY OPEC oil
-allows us to brings our solidiers home and have a higher chance of keeping them here
-provides US jobs needed by the unemployed and returning soldiers (LNG long hauld truck ing would produce an estimte 500,000 new jobs in the US from drilling NG through engine technicians)
-provides reductions in shipping costs (due to fuel savings) that will provide economic stimulus throughout the entire economy
-provides a huge reduction to the US deficit
As things get more desperate in the economy and the voices get louder (Wall St. Protests going global for example) politicians tend to ultimately make the right choices before disaster happens. Hopefully we reach that point on Nat Gas soon. Then I can buy my new boat ;-)
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