Compressed Natural Gas - An Alternative to Gasoline?

Levi Quinn

One of the major drawbacks of standard gasoline and other forms of fossil fuel is its emission of greenhouse gases. These gases are believed to have an effect on our climate, and are indisputably a major source of air pollution - something which is at the base of arguments against the continued use of fossil fuels for many purposes including the powering of internal combustion engines to run automobiles. However, the absence of agreement on the best alternative to fossil fuels has contributed to the continued use of fossil fuels, predominantly gasoline, in our everyday transport at the present time. Is it necessary to find one coherent alternative above all others, though? Or are the many possible alternatives an excellent range of choices for the consumer?

One alternative to gasoline that has found itself in use in a wide range of locations is compressed natural gas or CNG. As the name suggests, this fuel is created by compressing traditional natural gas and storing it in canisters. It is usable in many capacities, not least the internal combustion engine that operates in most motor cars - and as a result of the continuing rise in gasoline prices, is becoming more and more popular in Europe and South America. The latter continent is currently leading the way, with 48% of the global Natural Gas Vehicle (or NGV) market share. There is however an increasing number of NGVs operating in Asia as well as a vast number in mainland Europe, particularly in Italy. The European standard NGVs are cars that run on either gasoline or a separate CNG canister, between which the driver can choose by flipping a switch.

It is in South America, though, that the CNG car is proving to be a major alternative to the gasoline-driven models. This has been achieved by retrofitting gasoline models with the equipment required to run CNG instead of gasoline. This practice is most visible in Brazil and Argentina, which between them run 3 million of the world's fleet of more than 7 million NGVs. Taxi cabs in the major cities of these two countries make up a large share of this total, taking advantage of initiatives at government level to make the conversion to CNG easier and cheaper. Bolivia, Colombia and Peru are all aiming to increase their share, with Peru uniquely well positioned - literally - as it is situated on South America's largest reserve of natural gas.

It remains to be seen whether other nations in the developed world will take the opportunity to avail of the benefits of compressed natural gas. There are initiatives afoot in the United States, with tax credits available to those who buy a new CNG car. The price of natural gas makes this an attractive proposition, with those who can run it in their car able to pay up to 60% less than they would to run gasoline. Due to suspicion on the part of voters, however, a proposition to give rebates to Californians who purchased CNG cars was voted down in 2008.

Car Accident Stories - How Your Story Can Make a Difference

Mark Van Tuel

Car accident stories play a huge role in the prevention of auto accidents. As more people share their stories and their own experiences with car accidents, other people can learn from these experiences. Unlike auto accident reports we hear on TV or read on newspapers, which seem distant and unreal, car accident stories come directly from those who have been through real accidents. These stories seem closer to reality and usually create a much stronger impact. They are more likely to accomplish what news reports cannot and make people more concerned about the dangers of car accidents.

The Stories Tell the Truth

The news that we hear about auto accidents hardly tell us the true and full story. News reports are limited only to selected car accidents and make up only a very small percentage of all the accidents that strike people's lives while on the roads. By reading about other people's stories and by sharing your own, you are uncovering the sad truth that auto accidents are overwhelmingly common. And by doing so, more people will be aware that they have to protect themselves from these accidents.

How to Share

It is understandably hard to share a story about an auto accident, especially tragic ones that take away the life of people close to us. Although sharing your story will help others, you should more importantly tell your story in order to help in your own recovery. Don't rush yourself into telling a traumatic story; it takes time to recover from such incidents.

Also, you don't have to share all the details. Sometimes, rehashing details can make your trauma worse. All you have to share are the basic facts about what happened, and highlight the causes that led to the accident so that others who hear about your story will learn from those mistakes or experiences. Aside from that, you can share advice about how car accidents like the one you've been in can be avoided. Share what lessons you have learned so people will also keep them in mind.

Join Car Accident Community Groups

If you're experienced an auto accident, sharing your story can also help you recover from the stress and the trauma of the ordeal. One way of sharing your car accident stories is by joining community groups where members can exchange stories about their experiences. These communities work in many ways; they help prevent more accidents from happening and they also help people recover from the trauma caused by auto accidents.

To make it easier for you, these community groups offer websites where you can share your story. Such websites include CrashStories.com and ExperienceProject.com. There you will find several stories from people who've suffered similar accidents. By browsing through the stories, survivors immediately get relief from knowing that they are not alone in their experience and that other people have been through what they went through and recovered from these experiences.

Do: Try and share your story. It can also help you recover from your experience. Don't: You don't have to go through an accident alone. You can seek help from counselors or share your story so you can also recover more quickly.

The Verdict: Auto accident stories are real testimonies that help people recover from their experiences and help others learn lessons and be more aware of how accidents can risk and change their lives. By sharing your own stories, you can touch others' lives and help both you and them recover.

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To find more Car Accident Stories visit our website. Copyright 2009 Best-car-accident-lawyers.com, all rights reserved. Mark is the editor Best-car-accident-lawyers.com which helps you choosing the best car accident lawyer for your particular needs. To find more Car Accident Stories visit our website

Starting an Online Business with a Temporary Visa (or No Visa)

 Cliff Ennico

"I have been living in the United States for several years now on a temporary visa. Last year, I set up a limited liability company (LLC) for an online retail business. I understand that I do not have to be a U.S. citizen to own an LLC, but my attorney is telling me that I am not legally permitted to work here and so cannot do anything on behalf of my business. Is that correct? I have applied for a 'green card' so that I can stay here permanently, but it may be a long time before I get it."

While you do have to be a U.S. citizen or "green card" holder to own shares of stock in a subchapter S corporation, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to own shares in a regular or C corporation, or an ownership interest (called a "membership interest") in a limited liability company. However, that does not mean you have the legal right to enter into contracts or otherwise conduct business in the U.S. on behalf of your company.

You should talk to your immigration attorney about this. There are several different types of temporary visa the U.S. grants -- some allow you to work in this country while you are here, some allow you to work in this country but with certain restrictions (such as the number of hours each week you can work, or the types of jobs you can hold) and some do not allow you to work at all. You will need to follow the rules that apply to your specific visa type.

Since you have applied for a "green card," you should be able to obtain a "work authorization," which would allow you to work temporarily for your company until your "green card" application is either approved or finally rejected. This "work authorization" generally issues 90 to 180 days after your "green card" application is filed, but you may need to apply separately for it so be sure to talk to your immigration attorney about this.

If it is not possible for you to get a "work authorization," then talk to your immigration attorney and ask if the following approach would be acceptable:

"I live in Mexico and would like to make a little extra money by drop-shipping goods to people in the United States. I import the goods into the U.S. via a fulfillment company located in Texas. I only use this company to ensure the passing of the goods to the U.S. without being stopped by customs agents. I have found a wonderful U.S. wholesaler who can sell the goods online to U.S. buyers, but he has asked me for a federal tax ID number. My question is this: If my fulfillment company in Texas ships the goods directly to my U.S. buyers, do I really need to have a federal tax ID number since I assume the fulfillment company has one of their own?"

It is difficult to answer this question without knowing more about the legal relationship between you and the Texas fulfillment company, but I will assume that you still legally hold title to the goods that are stored there, and that the fulfillment company merely holds them "on consignment" for you, as that is the way these companies normally work.

Since the fulfillment company is selling the goods only as your agent (you are legally the "seller" your buyers are buying from), then your drop-shipper is correct in insisting you have a federal tax ID number because he or she will have to send you (not your fulfillment company) a Form 1099 at the end of each calendar year and withhold taxes on the amounts he or she remits to you.

You do not have to be a U.S. resident to obtain a federal tax ID number -- you would apply for this on IRS Form SS-4 (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf) just like anyone else. For more general information about the ITIN and the rules that apply for foreign companies importing goods into the US, you should download IRS Publication 515, "Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities," at www.irs.gov/publications/p515/ar02.html.

Cliff Ennico (crennico@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist, author and former host of the PBS television series "Money Hunt." This column is no substitute for legal, tax or financial advice, which can be furnished only by a qualified professional licensed in your state. To find out more about Cliff Ennico and other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit our Web page at www.creators.com.

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Copyright 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc.