Federal tax credit cuts cost of compressed natural gas

The American Taxpayer Relief Act included a package of tax credit extensions that had been recommended by the Senate Finance Committee. One of them was a 50-cents-a-gallon credit on compressed natural gas (CNG).

“As soon as we could verify it, we immediately dropped our price,” said Jim Griffith, CEO of Stillwater-based fuel retailer OnCue Express.

He said he hopes the new lower price will encourage more drivers to convert to CNG.

Taylor Shinn, Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s senior director of corporate development, said the tax credit makes CNG an even more attractive option for those looking to save money on fuel.

“This credit continues to boost natural gas in the transportation market and further stimulates the necessary adoption scale that is developing in our country,” Shinn said. “Supporting natural gas vehicles means a stronger economic future for our state, and a stronger energy future for our country.”

Rich Kolodziej, president of advocacy group NGVAmerica, said the tax credit means 2013 will be a good year for natural gas vehicles, with the release of a new natural gas engine for trucks coming this spring.