Acknowledging that natural gas vehicles (NGV) are catching on in the U.S. alternative transportation market, advocates for diesel and biodiesel alternatives are joining forces to promote their fuel’s viability among Washington, DC, policymakers.

The National Biodiesel Board, including 260 producers, users and marketers, joined the Diesel Technology Forum in December, saying it should help the “fight for clean diesel technology.”

The forum (www.dieselforum.org) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to raising awareness of the economic importance and essential uses of diesel engines. BP and several engine manufacturers, including General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, Volvo and Volkswagen are backing the forum and its programs.

“We share the common goal of assuring that future energy and transportation policies recognize the unique value and capabilities of diesel technology,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the forum.

Diesel officials have acknowledged that their fuel has come under attack from natural gas producers amid recent production booms that brought natural gas prices in 2012 to their lowest levels in 10 years. Although natural gas has suffered over the years from big price fluctuations because of swings in supplies, producers are now making a case of gas production staying high for decades to come.

In the meantime, diesel prices are tied to crude oil prices, meaning they have been high of late, a fact that the gas producers have emphasized in marketing efforts for more use of natural gas in vehicles. NGVs are emerging in various fleet sectors (see Daily GPI, Dec. 17).

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