It's now the U.S. Senate's turn to debate proposed climate change legislation, and amid all the talk about smart grids and wind and solar energy, it's easy to forget about the small, but increasing role being played by natural gas-powered vehicles. Many public and private entities are already taking advantage of existing federal incentives that encourage the use of natural gas-powered vehicles, and attorney Scott Deatherage of Dallas' Thompson & Knight says that the proposed legislation will likely contain provisions promoting the relatively clean fuel source. "The final Senate bill will likely echo the House version in extending tax and fuel credits for the use of natural gas into the next decade," he says. "Regardless of what happens legislatively, there is a plentiful domestic supply and a growing market for natural gas as a vehicle fuel, particularly for large fleet operators." Deatherage notes that AT&T recently committed $350 million to buy natural gas vehicles, and more and more entrepreneurs are looking into independent fueling stations to sell liquid or compressed forms of natural gas. To interview Mr. Deatherage, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.