Page 95 - Technology and Innovation Journal - 19-1

TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY 433

Figure 5. Average retail fuel prices in the U.S. (7).

for emissions cleanup. As seen in the figure above less for their energy usage, thus providing more
(Figure 5), the cost of petroleum was higher than nat- disposable cash for infusion into their regional
ural gas by about 7.5% in 2016. The general trend line economies for leisure and value-added products
for natural gas has been fairly constant in comparison and services.
to petroleum. Since natural gas comes from domestic This economic value will then be complemented
sources in the United States, the price is consistent. by the need to provide the materials and manu-
For petroleum, however, the price varies more often factured products necessary to support this new
based on economic factors and outside influences energy economy. More importantly, it will stimu-
because about 50% of U.S. oil is imported (8,9). For late and attract the entrepreneurs and innovators,
all the right reasons, natural gas is the preferred choice along with the decision-making leadership, who
for a more secure and well-planned energy future, will accelerate economic growth in the nation.
especially if the money that is spent for energy then As a result of this growth, there will be a need to
remains at home. adjust the nation’s social support infrastructure to
In addition to offsetting petroleum and other accommodate an influx or redistribution of popu-
energy imports, the production and transmission of lation. The added tax base can be used to benefit
our natural gas feedstock would then be financed and the people who live, contribute, and work in the
expedited locally through its use in the transportation region.
sector long before it will be utilized effectively in the This effort will also provide healing and fiscal
power-generating sector. The use of this fuel will growth for more than just localized regions, leading
also help to competitively regulate the global price of the country to a better understanding of the true
energy and create a better sense of national security power of domestic energy and fostering the ability
than has been seen in the past few decades. The use to rebuild self-sufficiency, encourage innovation,
of this fuel, in addition to cutting our carbon foot- and determine the direction of the country’s col-
print, will create the need for new industry in support lective future. In this process, there is underlying
of the fueling and the conversion and maintenance progress in the acquisition, transportation, use,
infrastructure. It will also directly cost the consumer and environmental management of the essential