"National Grid (NGG), an electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution utility, is a low-risk, income-generating idea," suggests income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "Based in London, the company's largest market is still the UK, and it holds a virtual monopoly on the electricity transmission grid in England and Wales.

"Its primary business is to balance the supply and demand of electricity and natural gas and transmit that power from producers to customers across its network of high-voltage transmission wires and natural gas pipelines.

"Eighteen percent: That's the compound annual rate of return that Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has showered on investors the past decade," says utility sector specialist Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "And with a yield of nearly 6 percent--and a payout growing almost 6 percent yearly--the owner and operator of midstream energy assets is on track for much more.

"Last March, Enterprise Products' legendary founder Dan Duncan passed. The company he left, however, is still growing rapidly, most recently tapping into the boom in natural gas liquids (NGL).

"I am getting more interested in natural gas; we all realize that crude oil production is peaking and that new discoveries are deep, dangerous to exploit, and bottom line expensive," says resource expert Curtis Hesler.

The editor of Professional Timing Service explains, "Investors can consider Natural Gas Service Group (NGS), a natural gas field equipment provider that I am adding to our recommended list.

"While technology is improving in wind and hydroelectric generation, perhaps the greatest technical strides are being seen in natural gas production.

Is natural gas the next big mover? The answer is yes. Why, you ask? Oil has been making new highs to $93.00 per barrel. This is pushing up the price of home heating oil. Natural gas, on the other hand, has stayed in the doldrums for the past year.

So right off, you have a commodity that is making a long-term bottom. Here are several other factors making natural gas attractive:

• Natural gas is a greener fuel than either coal or oil;
• Natural gas is cheap;

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Our top pick for 2011 is natural gas producer (RRC), which is on our recommended buy list," says Geoffrey Seiler.

The editor of BullMarket.com explains, "With natural gas prices depressed, we think now is the time to buy low, and Range is one of the best-positioned companies in the natural gas sector, both in terms of growth, assets, and being a low-cost producer.

"ConocoPhillips (COP) is one of my favorite ideas for investors seeking a reliable (and increasing) income stream and modest upside potential," says Nathan Slaughter.

The editor of Street Authority Market Advisor explains, "With the dollar sliding, oil prices have climbed back above $87 per barrel and could soon flirt with the $90 mark. And ConocoPhillips produces 1.72 million barrels every 24 hours.

"Through the first nine months of 2010, adjusted earnings in the core exploration and production segment at ConocoPhillips are up more than 100%.

"I believe natural gas is the top energy play on the planet; natural gas produces far fewer greenhouse gases than oil or coal, it is easy to transport, and there is a lot of it," says Jim Lowell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities explains, "EnCana (ECA) is my top choice as a natural gas investment. Long-term investors should be well rewarded for buying the stock at its current low price.

"During the past two years, there has been a revolution in the ability to extract natural gas from shale deposits, of which the U.S. and Canada have huge quantities.

"China Natural Gas (CHNG) is one of the leading providers of pipeline natural gas for industrial, commercial and residential use in the Xi'an region of China; the company also distributes compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicular fuel through natural gas fueling stations," notes China specialist Jim Trippon.

The editor of The China Stock Digest explains, "Xi'an is a fast growing Chinese city supported by a population of approximately 8.5 million. Xian (as Westerners know it) is the "gateway" to the broad western regions of China. The city of Xi'an has approximately 20,000 taxis, 5,000 buses and 3,000 special purpose vehicles that are powered by compressed natural gas.

"Cheniere Energy Partners, LP. (CQP), a master limited partnership, is the owner and operator of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal in Cameron Parish; the 853 acre facility is in a prime location with vast LNG capacity," notes income specialist Bryan Perry.

The editor of The Cash Machine explains, " The regasification ability of the terminal is about 2.6 billion cubic feet per day, and it can store about 10.1 billion cubic feet of LNG. That sounds like a lot -- and it is -- but CQP wants the Sabine Pass LNG to expand capacity even more. So in April of 2008, the company began its expansion project.

"Exxon's big acquisitions often serve as a blueprint for the rest of the industry," says energy sector advisor Elliott Gue, referring to its recent $41 billion acquisition of natural gas producer XTO Energy.

In Personal Finance newsletter, he says, "The landmark deal represents a major bet on the future of natural gas and sets the stage for a raft of similar acquisitions by energy majors in 2010." Here's a look at four favorites in the sector.

"I'm excited about Quanta Services (PWR), a contracting company that specializes in building utility transmission and distribution infrastructure," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The current focus in the U.S. of projects that improve energy conservation, utilize renewable resources, and improve air quality make Quanta an excellent long-term growth opportunity.

"Its customers are in the electric power, gas, telecommunications, and cable television industries. These are stimulus spending customers; i.e., big government organizations and utilities companies.

"If there was ever a stock we can hold for a few years, natural gas company Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) is it," says Ian Wyatt. Here's the latest from his Top Stock Insights.

"Chesapeake Energy is the largest independent natural gas company and most active driller of wells in the US. Its operating activities include the onshore exploration and production of natural gas.

"The Obama administration is keen on achieving energy independence for the US. Natural gas is a good option for energy, since it is inexpensive, clean and domestic. I believe the administration will continue to push natural gas as an alternative to oil, and create incentives for the industry.

"Our focus this summer remains on building positions in the bombed-out natural gas market; there's no other commodity this depressed, this unwanted and trading at such distressed levels," says resource expert Eric Roseman.

In his industry-leading, The Commodity Trend Alert, he explains, "Indeed, the bombed-out natural gas sector is screaming 'buy'." Here, he looks at TransCanada Corp. (NYSE: TRP).

"The way prices have been heading over the last several months you'd think the world doesn't use this clean-burning fossil fuel anymore.

"Natural gas prices remain 70% off their 52-week high and more than 75% below their all-time highs almost four years ago when Hurricane Katrina smashed the Gulf of Mexico.

"Despite coming close to bankruptcy in 2002, Williams Co. (NYSE: WMB) has some of the premier assets in each of its business segments: exploration & production, mid-stream and pipelines," says turnaround expert George Putnam.

In his The Turnaround Letter, he explains, "The company now has the financial strength not only to survive the current downturn but to grow and prosper."

"Begun in 1908 as a pipeline construction company, Williams is now a major, integrated natural gas company; it produces, gathers, processes and transports natural gas throughout the United States.

"As the global economy rebounds late this year or next year, demand for energy will rise again, sending prices of crude and natural gas higher," says growth and income expert Bryan Perry.

In his top-notch The Cash Machine, he explains, "With energy assets cheap by historical standards right now, I want to increase our exposure to LINN Energy LLC (NASDAQ: LINE), a best-in-class inflation hedge."

"Founded in 2003, LINN is an independent oil and gas Master Limited Partnership (MLP) that completed its initial public offering (IPO) in January 2006.