Workshop tries to drum up support for natural gas vehicles in Decorah

Schneider drove a Honda NGV from La Crosse to Decorah

There are numerous advantages to switching to vehicles that are powered by natural gas, according to speakers at a workshop at The Oaks Steakhouse in Decorah on Thursday.

Iowa Clean Cities Coalition representative Scott Bents called the NGVs "an immediate solution" to the country's energy problems.  That's because natural gas is plentiful--and it's located in the United States, or at least in nearby friendly countries.

Cresco resident Mike McGuire, who owns an NGV, said he bought his because "I don't want to send my money to a country we're fighting."

And then there's the environmental impact--Bents says natural gas-powered cars have 30 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered cars, while NGV busses have 23 percent lower emissions.

And natural gas is cheaper.  Honda Motorwerks owner Chris Schneider says he can drive from La Crosse to Milwaukee on less than $10 of natural gas.

So why aren't there more NGVs on the road?  Even supporters of the vehicles admit it's a "which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" kind of an issue.  Without convenient pumping stations for the natural gas, consumers and business owners are reluctant to buy NGVs, but without enough NGVs on the road, convenience stores and other businesses are reluctant to install pumps.

So the leaders of Thursday's workshop were trying to drum up support in Decorah for refueling facilities in Decorah.  "We have got to make this transition and make it permanent," said Schneider, adding, "it really does come down to grass roots."  Mc Guire agreed, saying "The community needs to take the first step."

(For more information about natural gas vehicles, visit www.ngvamerica.org)

Black Hills Energy officials drove a Chevy NGV

114,000 NGVs are on the road in America