The legislation that I have been working on presented by Representative Josh Cockroft (HB2654) passed out of the House Thursday without debate 71 to 17 with 13 members not voting (8 of those were solid supporters and even co-authors). What is amazing is the national attention that we are getting. HB2954 is good for Oklahoma, counties are the benefactors but Oklahomans will see more CNG stations built if this bill is passed. The counties will reap the savings from the more than $2.00 difference in cost between gasoline and CNG. Also, natural gas is not only a domestic fuel source but an Oklahoma fuel. Oklahoma is 3rd in production behind Alaska and Texas.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Legislation designed to help Oklahoma counties convert their vehicle fleets to compressed natural gas and increase CNG fuel stations across the state has been approved by the Oklahoma House.
The measure by Republican Rep. Josh Cockroft of Tecumseh passed 71-17 on Thursday and was sent to the state Senate for consideration.
The bill authorizes the use gross production tax revenue to help counties convert their vehicles to compressed natural gas and develop CNG fuel stations that could be used by state and county governments and the general public.
Cockroft says the Oklahoma Department of Transportation saved about $32,690 a month after converting 174 vehicles to compressed natural gas. He says there are about 2,400 county vehicles in the state, not including law enforcement vehicles. Posted Mar 06, 2014
Here is a list of publications across the nation that has picked up the story:
- Washington Times
- The Republic – Columbus, Indiana
- WN.com
- KSWO 7 News
- Wopular.com
- News-Journal.com
- Slushpit.com
- The Energy Source
- Roonte.com
- Journalrecord.com
- San Francisco Gate