Natural gas has been in the news almost weekly for the past year. The fuel is alternately portrayed as a clean-burning fuel — or as a threat to the environment, due to chemicals used in the hydrofracturing technique that extracts natural gas trapped in shale a mile or more underground.

Including Marcellus Shale and other deep rock formations, experts believe there is enough natural gas in the U.S. to satisfy domestic energy needs for 50 years or more. But industry secrecy over fracking water, public concerns over leaks, and effective removal of chemicals from fracking water has focused negative attention on the industry. Still, with industry cooperation, further technological advances and government regulation, there is hope that the promise of natural gas can be realized without damaging the environment or human health.

Assuming the risks of natural gas extraction and transportation can be minimized, there are plans to use natural gas in the transportation industry in ways that could finally help the U.S. reduce its dependence on imported oil. In both Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., recent legislation has been introduced that would promote the use of natural gas in trucks and buses.

In Harrisburg, a package of bills known as Marcellus Works was introduced earlier this month by House Republicans. The legislation would promote natural gas in municipal transit systems through $47.5 million in tax credits, grants and loans. The bill would require the state’s largest transit agencies, in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley, to buy natural gas-powered buses when replacing older, diesel-powered buses.

Creating more demand for natural gas is good for the industry, which is good for Pennsylvania because of the potential economic impact of Marcellus Shale development. For that reason, Gov. Tom Corbett should consider gas extraction fees to fund the $47.5 million in proposed state expenditures to promote more natural gas usage. Corbett, on record as opposing a natural gas extraction tax, could find some wiggle room with fees dedicated to specific programs, such as vehicle conversions and infrastructure subsidies to encourage the construction of more natural gas filling stations.

In Washington, D.C., a bipartisan bill known as the Nat Gas Act was recently introduced with similar, though broader, objectives.

Since 2008, famed Texas oilman and billionaire T. Boone Pickens has promoted the idea of a dramatic expansion of natural gas for transportation, particularly in heavy-duty trucks.

The Nat Gas Act mirrors Pickens’ plan and would create $1 billion in incentives for converting big trucks to run on natural gas and for developing a network of natural gas filling stations on interstate highways.

Pickens notes that imported oil accounts for two-thirds of the oil used in the United States. And about 70 percent of the oil used in the U.S. is used in transportation, with 25 percent of that total used by big trucks.

According to Pickens, accelerated use of natural gas for truck fuel could cut in half the oil America imports from OPEC.

Pickens, 82, believes America should concentrate on home-grown fuel, including natural gas. But he also supports developing wind and solar energy sources. He also supports coal, because it, like natural gas, is found in abundant quantities in the U.S.

Every president since Jimmy Carter, including Barack Obama, has speechified about America becoming energy independent. But, a column in the New York Times noted “none of them have ever done anything to accomplish that.”

Promoting the use of more natural gas is a reasonable way to accomplish that goal.

The natural gas industry faces challenges in public concerns about its operations and the chemicals used for fracking, as well as making drilling less risky to the environment and humans. But, assuming those challenges are met, natural gas can help make the air cleaner and the country less dependent on imported oil.

In his Times column on the Nat Gas Act and Pickens’ plan, writer Joe Nocera concludes, “Natural gas is cheaper than oil. It’s cleaner. And it’s ours. If Congress can’t pass this thing, there really is no hope.”

We should all watch Harrisburg and Washington to see what happens.