CNG cars in Kansas city

I don't know if you've noticed, but many of the cars that belong to the city run on compressed natural gas. I happend to be behind one on the highway (actually, it was being dragged on the back of a tow truck, but nevermind) and it suddenly occured to me that here was a completely clean-running, alternative fuel vehicle right in front of me. It was sort of a "They do exist!" moment, like when Santa and the M&M's saw each other in that old commercial--though I doubt the car was surprised by my existence. Frankly, I don't think it noticed. But I digress.

Anyway, ever since then I had it in my mind that I was going to call the Water Services Department (who's name was on the side of the car, a Civic GX) and talk to their fleet manager to find out what they did with their old CNG cars. Days and days later, I finally got around to getting ahold of the person I needed to talk to, who, as it turned out, actually was in charge of purchasing the cars for the whole city. I told him my intentions, that I was an environmentally-aware citizen and was interested in getting ahold of a used CNG vehicle, and he was very friendly. He told me that the old cars get sent to auction, and although he couldn't tell me the name of the auction company off the top of his head, he did tell me that, as a citizen, owning a car that runs on natural gas wouldn't be very efficient in this city. This is because, as he said, he was only aware of one CNG filling station, and that was in Overland Park. Living in Gladstone as I do, that is clearly what we in the industry call "a little out of the way."

He said the only alternative, if I was set on CNG, would be to install a compressor in my home and compress my own natural gas (well, not my natural gas, the gas coming into my home). He said doing this would require some retrofitting of the car in order to make the fuelling process work, and that it could get sort of expensive. I thanked him for his time and hung up and pretty much put away the idea of having a CNG car in the near future.

CNG cars are great because they are completely emissions free, but they do have their drawbacks. Obviously I've already hit on one of the major ones, if not the biggest one. Also, they tend to get the same or less fuel-efficiency than their gasoline-based counterparts, and when it costs about the same to fill the tank as it does for gasoline, really it's a wash at best. Pretty much the main benefit to driving a CNG car, as far as I can tell, is being able to tour around with the knowledge that you are contributing nothing to global warming, climate change, the uglification of the air...whatever you want to call it.

So I guess, since I can't have a Civic GX, I'll just have to go back to not having a Civic Hybrid. Sigh.

Eating out.

With all the eco-controversy surrounding beef cattle, because of all the destructive methane they release into the atmosphere, a lot of green people choose to go vegetarian. My wife has been off meat for over half a year now, and not because she's eco-conscious but just because she feels it's healthier. Well, I don't know about that (after all, things like french fries and peanut butter are both still technically vegetarian), but I am trying to be more conscious of how much beef I eat lately. It's tough, especially since the new house we just got is only a mile from a Steak n' Shake...mmmm...but, hey, if these choices weren't tough I wouldn't have felt compelled to start this blog. Though I said my wife is vegetarian, she still eats fish, and so I've sort of unofficially started taking her lead. When we go out to eat, which we have been doing a lot lately during our renovation, I try to get shrimp or fish, or, in a pinch, chicken. I've still been known to have a burger now and then, and I don't feel too bad about that. I don't think beef should be outlawed or anything, I just think we as a society could cut back on how much of it we consume, and I'm trying to do my part. What's important to remember, if you're struggling at the drive through menu between getting that double quarter-pounder or the lowly fish fillet, is that after you eat either of them you will be full, satisfied, and won't need more food again until dinner. So why not make the more earth-friendly choice? Forget giving in to your "cravings" and just fill your stomach. The ozone layer will thank you.