In 2009, the Norman, Oklahoma, City Council adopted an Alternative Fuel Program to provide a cleaner environmental community, and to develop an alternative to high fuel prices.
The program funded the city’s first compressed natural gas station, at a cost of $1.65 million. Most of the funding came from a $945,000 State Commerce grant, and another $200,000 from a public fleet conversion grant program. The city provided matching grants.
According to reports, the city has purchased seven compressed natural gas or “CNG” vehicles, including three refuse trucks, one field service truck, one SUV, a street sweeper and commercial lawn mower.
Annually, the city expects to save $52,000, as compressed natural gas is significantly cheaper than traditional gas; at press time, the station was filling at just $1.44 gallon.
The savings are expected to increase as the city converts and purchases more CNG vehicles. For example, Norman Public schools have been invited to run CNG buses, and residents with CNG vehicles also may use the pumping facility.
Click here to read the original coverage on the station.
Details on the program from the city are also available, as is a downloadable PDF (18 pages).
Those interested can download the original RFP for the Norman CNG station