WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-N.V.) introduced the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act, which aims to lessen America’s reliance on foreign oil, while also protecting the environment and saving consumers money. The bill is designed to make it easier for Americans to buy natural gas vehicles, refuel them and convert their existing cars to a cleaner, more efficient fuel.

The legislation would extend the existing natural gas fuel, vehicle and infrastructure tax credits by 10 years and augment them to further encourage the purchase and use of natural gas vehicles and the installation of more fueling stations. Specifically, the bill would provide a credit for 80 percent of the incremental price for the purchase of natural gas-only vehicles and 50 percent of the incremental price for the purchase of vehicles that can run on either natural gas or gasoline.