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Comments (14)
Washington ferries considering natural gas as fuel
The Washington state ferry system is exploring using liquefied natural gas as a way to save money on fuel prices.
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  • clevesside wrote...
    Any fuel savings to users??
    May 13, 2012 4:45 pm
    ...you have to wonder, and I doubt it, given the DOT/WSF track record. Expect future union bonuses instead.
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  • Truth Hurts wrote...
    Don't believe the hype.
    May 13, 2012 5:06 pm
    Someone, at some level of government, owns a portion of the company that they'll hire to convert the ferries to natural gas.

    It will be a big expense and people will get a windfall out of it.

    10-1 says they don't discuss the ROI, after shipping the ferries to Canada for the swap out.

    Bet it won't be local workers doing the switch either.

    Someone is getting their pockets lined.

    Don't believe the hype/spin!

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  • black_bart wrote...
    why do we have to do this right away?
    May 13, 2012 5:23 pm
    Why not just run the boats we have until they are retired, and then buy boats that are made to run on natural gas to begin with. I sense kickbacks or something in this.
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  • sohojo wrote...
    Just Wait
    May 13, 2012 5:34 pm
    My bet is that it will actually end up costing more. C'mon, we are talking about washington state government. The only thing they cut is benefits for the poor while padding their retirement accounts.
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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    The dirty little secret is.....
    May 13, 2012 6:25 pm
    that while liquified natural gas is less per gallon than diesel, it takes just under twice as many gallons of liquified natural gas to do the same "work" as a gallon of diesel.

    A gallon of diesel has an energy potential of 147,000 BTU, a gallon of liquified natural gas only 84,000.

    Sure, the price per gallon is lower- now. Wait until more fleets buy into the liquified natural gas craze and demand goes up.

    There is also a significant loss of lubricity when switching to liquified natural gas from diesel. Diesel is a lubricant, while natural gas is corrosive. Significantly reducing the lifespan of a $multi-million power plant is a fairly stupid way to economize on fuel.

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  • CH wrote...
    And again Chuck has the answers . . . .
    May 13, 2012 8:41 pm
    ok Chuck how many cans of beans will each rider have to eat to run the ferry?
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  • fartforce1 wrote...
    I have an awesome idea that would save WA Billions...no Really!
    May 13, 2012 8:53 pm
    Take the props off the ferries. Connect a guide-wire to a submersed track. track is cheep. Pull the hull. No more engine failures. No more paying big oil our tax dollars for energy we produce right here in this state. Lets use our own energy first! I even have an idea for submersible crossing system.
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  • fartforce1 wrote...
    ....thought soo.
    May 13, 2012 8:59 pm
    well, anyway, at least I am trying.
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  • shark75 wrote...
    C. Gould pulls another Crazy Ivan
    May 13, 2012 10:13 pm
    Like AJ, Chuck leaves a bad taste in my mouth 75% of the time but he brings up a valid point. How much tootin' power does CNG have over old-fashioned gas? If it IS more efficient however, I of course like the idea...
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  • C"mon Man wrote...
    How about'........
    May 13, 2012 10:51 pm
    Turning it over to the private sector?
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  • fartforce1 wrote...
    C"mon Man - why not privatize.
    May 14, 2012 4:07 am
    I agree with the idea. The monument of free travel is still a a basic right is most states, why is everything so over taxed and regulated by WA GOV? I say let private ferries compete. Then, reduce public money supporting the ferries to zero over ten years until the it no longer runs int he red. What you will have left is a private company. Do the same for city bus systems. Let people run their own where there are no buses. All that potential capitalism, to so tightly controlled.
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