Nat Gas Needs a Champion in Congress

Today we saw the first real push by the natural gas companies to influence the coming debate in the Senate on climate change. The ad, featuring a child, talks about how plentiful natural gas is in this country, 100 years' worth, and therefore it's the cleaner, more logical alternative.

I like the pitch. I have been adamant that without a pitch this fuel -- no matter how logical -- is dead in the water.

Last night I had Range Resources (RRC - commentary - Trade Now) on "Mad Money," the purest play on the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and a company that's been a terrific performer.

I like the stock. But it is a reminder of how hard the natural gas guys have to work to get the job done because neither the president nor Nancy Pelosi wants to hear anything for it.

Worse, Pennsylvania is a bought-and-paid-for coal state, long a coal state, always a coal state. John Pinkerton, the chief executive officer of Range, made it clear that he is starting to make some headway with the governor, Ed Rendell, on all that he and his company can do to help the Pennsylvania economy.

However, once again it was a reminder that this fuel has no one in the Senate or the House in its favor. The natural gas lobby is weaker than the coal, solar, oil and ethanol lobby -- by far the most important. Without a champion who can shepherd bills, I think that you will see this fuel be no more encouraged than nuclear even though we could pretty much rid ourselves of OPEC in 20 years if the promises of nat gas are right ... and I think they are.

Range isn't hedged on all of its production next year; about half can float. But if you think that momentum can build, this one, with low finding cots and the best position in the just-commercialized Marcellus, may be the one to reach for.

Random musings: Happy Jewish New Year to all!

At the time of publication, Cramer had no positions in the stocks mentioned.

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