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DNR promotes funds for conversion of public vehicles to gasoline and CNG

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Money is available to convert your vehicle/fleet to Bi-Fuel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

The La. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has Energy Efficiency/Energy Conservation funds available for the conversion of vehicles to bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) and will reimburse 100 percent of the conversion costs of your qualified vehicles. 

Natural gas is produced in Louisiana- it's a clean alternative fuel that can be economically used to power vehicles in the form of compressed natural gas. 

Bi-fuel converted vehicles are able to operate on CNG as well as gasoline. Currently, CNG prices are approximately 40 percent less than gasoline.  The average light-duty state vehicle travels approximately 6,200 miles annually.  If that vehicle were fueled with CNG, about $500 per year reduction in fuel savings could result. 

Conversion kits must be Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified. A guide to conversion kit availability is located at: http://www.ngvc.org/pdfs/marketplace/MP.Analyses.NGVs-a.pdf.  The actual conversion takes less than a week to complete. 

Public entities rely heavily on their transportation resources. It's worth the time and effort -

Just consider taking a survey your vehicle fleet, compare it against the list of EPA certified bi-fuel conversion kits and develop a list of vehicles you wish to convert.  Then, give us a call for more information and application. The funds are provided through ARRA, allowing the state's Energy Office to promote this viable energy conservation and cost-savings measure to local governments, police juries, schools, and other groups.

Please contact DNR Project Managers Bryan Crouch at (225) 342-2122, or email at john.crouch@la.gov or Chris Knotts at (225)342-1399, email at chris.knotts@la.gov.

Learn more about CNG usage: Here is a recent Times-Picayune article on Louisiana natural gas vehicle activity can be found at:  http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/louisiana_looks_at_developing.html.