Governor Mary FallinTulsa -
Gov. Mary Fallin will address small business owners and government fleet managers today to highlight the benefits of Compressed Natural Gas.
Fallin will give the keynote address at noon at the OU-Schusterman Campus in Tulsa to attendees of the summit. The governor will discuss the important role natural gas plays in Oklahoma's economy.
The Compressed Natural Gas Summit is designed to highlight the financial and environmental benefits of natural gas for business owners and fleet managers, according to a press release.
During her address, Fallin is expected to discuss her bi-partisan, multistate effort to engage other governors in expanding the market for CNG vehicles by converting portions of state fleets to natural gas. She also will talk about how CNG industry growth would boost the state's economy.
Oklahoma is the third largest producer of natural gas in the nation, according to the press release. Approximately 90 percent of the natural gas used in the US is produced domestically.
"If those facts are motivating to an individual, you can imagine the interest it generates among business owners and fleet managers who are seeing ballooning fuel budgets eat up more and more of their bottom lines," said Meredith Webber, manager of INCOG's Office of Energy Management and Clean Cities Coordinator.
Webber said that while CNG is getting more attention, it can be intimidating to make the switch because of the large initial investment.
Here in the state, natural gas retails for $1.70 or less.
Check back for more information and footage as Tulsa's Channel 8 attends the summit today.
