The cost of implementing CNG availability to interstate uses will be astronomical. If we don’t drill to provide low cost gas for the poor, then we have not done the right thing...how many single mothers, elderly and disabled can afford to spend 3-7000 dollars to revamp a cheap car that they are having trouble paying for in the first place. We need to do it all, and those who can afford it, it’s great. But those who can’t should be allowed to use gas until their car is in the junkyard.
“If we don’t drill to provide low cost gas for the poor, then we have not done the right thing...how many single mothers, elderly and disabled can afford to spend 3-7000 dollars to revamp a cheap car that they are having trouble paying for in the first place.”
You are assuming that demand (markets) will not over time, bring about a reduction in the conversion costs, rendering it possible, as the technology and the cost of it improves (which is always the case if demand rises enough) for, eventually, even if not immediately, many more people could be able to afford the conversion costs. I am assuming the opposite; that if sufficient demand is created the costs will gradually go down.
And, contrary to your assumption about my position it is NOT one of doing nothing about oil sources in the meantime. I just don’t think that is ALL we could, or should do, for the long term. And, for the long term, markets and technology MAY bring LNG and oil “closer” in “long term” costs for a car owner, and maybe, in time, close enough to be an either-or proposition for lots of people. If the LNG option, or others are discouraged, “drill now” alone will leave the tank empty eventually.