The Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging transport groups to use natural gas, in a bid to further intensify promotion on the utilization of alternative fuels.
DOE Science Research Specialist Daniel Collin Jornales said during the recent Multi-Sectoral Forum on Energy Sector Innovations through the use of Alternative Fuels and Energy Technologies that the use of natural gas for public transport is a long-term solution in case reserve of non-renewable gas becomes depleted.
“Diesel is not for life. Thus, we at DOE are continuously exploring for alternative sources of fuel and energy so that even if our present sources becomes depleted, our mode of transportation will not be paralyzed,” Jornales stressed.
In his presentation of the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport, Jornales opposed common belief that natural gas is harmful to our health and to the environment.
“Natural gas comes from fossil fuels embedded 3,000 to 15,000 feet below the ground. Its primary components include methane, with small amounts of ethane, propane, butane and pentane. It is odorless and colorless. In other words, it is organic in nature so it is clean and safe to use,” the engineer explained.
To further encourage transport groups to shift towards natural gas, Jornales then enumerated the incentives that they can get out of using compressed natural gas (CNG).
Among these are income tax holiday; zero-rate duties on imported NGVs engines and other related equipment parts; and attractive CNG prices, which is at least 25% cheaper than diesel price.
Aside from the economic side, it has also benefits to the environment including its clean burning characteristics and more quiet operation having less vibration and fewer pollutants.
“Since it easily dissipates in the atmosphere, it is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic,” Jornales highlighted.