OKLAHOMA CITY, OK AND DENVER, CO - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper have launched initiatives to increase the use of natural gas vehicles in their state automobile fleets, moves they hope will make the cars more affordable to the public, the Associated Press reports.
"It's a win, win, win," Hickenlooper said, adding natural gas vehicles save money over gasoline or diesel and reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil.
"I think it makes the world safer," he said.
For Oklahoma, the move offers solid support to the state??s natural gas industry, the third largest in the nation behind Texas and Wyoming.
"What's great for Oklahoma is that we have an enormous amount of natural gas right here," said Alex Weintz, communications director for Governor Fallin.
Oklahoma??s secretary of energy, Michael Ming, said the biggest markets to-date for natural gas are light-duty utility and delivery trucks. Converting a gas- or diesel-powered car or truck to burn natural gas is expensive, costing up to $10,000, "which puts it out of the price range of average consumers," he said.
Fallin, Hickenlooper and governors from Kentucky, Maine, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming have signed a memo promising to invest in natural gas vehicles when they replace older vehicles that burn traditional fuels. Their collective goal is to encourage U.S. automakers to develop natural gas-burning vehicles that will also appeal to the public.
"The intent is to get a functional and affordable four-door vehicle," Ming said. "They're on this. We just want to partner with them and help them along."
Ming said the states have committed to acquiring 500 natural gas vehicles each year, and that if enough states commit to purchasing the vehicles, it could justify development costs of new cars and trucks.
"We're getting close," Hickenlooper said. "My guess is that one of those companies is going to jump at this."
According to Ming, natural gas vehicles get about the same fuel mileage as a gas-powered vehicle, though a gallon equivalent of compressed natural gas costs just $1.85.
Oklahoma??s initiative is part of Fallin's Oklahoma First Energy Plan, which outlines strategies for energy conservation, research and support for alternative energy sources.
"This initiative has the potential to be a true game-changer for both the automobile industry and the energy industry," Fallin said. "States have tens of thousands of fleet automobiles, and by partnering with car manufacturers to bring an affordable and functional NGV to market, we're helping to develop the products and infrastructure for cleaner, more cost-effective transportation."