Oklahoma City forum focuses on natural gas vehicles

Commissioners Phillip Culbreath and Marvin Dale were among more than 200 city, county and state officials who gathered Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center for a forum sponsored by Gov. Mary Fallin and Energy Secretary Mike Ming's office.

The informational meeting focused on Oklahoma's CNG initiative, which was launched last year by Fallin and her Colorado counterpart, Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.

The two governors formed a bipartisan coalition of 22 states interested in buying more natural gas vehicles for their fleets. The group received bids in October for CNG vehicles from dealers in 28 states.

Representatives of several Oklahoma dealerships were on hand Wednesday to show off the natural gas vehicles they are offering.

Officials said the bids offered savings of up to $5,800 on natural gas vehicles, savings that also are available to Oklahoma cities and counties.

Dale said the state bid would make it easier for Atoka County to purchase natural gas vehicles.

He said he already has a used bi-fuel pickup, which runs on gasoline or CNG, but he hasn't been able to fill it with natural gas because there are no fueling stations in his area.