This week, Governors in Indiana and Colorado signed legislation that will help propel increased use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. In Indiana, Governor Mike Pence signed Public Law No. 277-2013 (HB 1324). The measure includes a new 50 percent tax credit for heavy duty natural gas vehicles (i.e. greater than 33,000 lbs.). The …

On Thursday, physicist Ernest Moniz won unanimous Senate confirmation to be the new energy secretary. Moniz, 68, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), replaces Steven Chu. Moniz served as an energy undersecretary in the Clinton Administration. As energy secretary, Moniz will face an array of challenges, as the administration continues to promote …

On Friday, NGVAmerica submitted comments to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJ DOT) on their proposal that would amend regulations governing passage of NGVs through the New Jersey Route 29 tunnel. The proposal includes an exemption that would allow CNG and LNG-powered vehicles to pass through the tunnel—as long as such vehicles comply with …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that up to $9 million in DERA grants for Fiscal Year 2013 is available for new projects. States, tribes, local governments and non-profits are eligible to apply for DERA grants. Projects that can reduce air pollution from older school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, …

On Thursday, Stephe Yborra joined the Joe Castro, the Facilities and Fleet Manager of Boulder, Colo., and Sam Swearngin, the Public Works Director of Kansas City, Mo., for an American Public Works Association (APWA)-hosted national webinar. The webinar addressed modifications to facilities and operations when implementing alternative fuels programs. Stephe’s presentation covered “Guidelines for Determining …

On Wednesday, NGVAmerica’s Tom Sheehan addressed the “Natural Gas Vehicle Workshop for Fleets” with Maine Clean Communities Coordinator, Steve Linnell at the Marriott Sable Oaks in South Portland, Maine. There were over 75 attendees at the workshop. In addition to discussing various NGV-related topics, Tom also moderated three one-hour discussion panels covering the topics of …

The West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) hosted its inaugural Appalachian Basin NGV Expo & Conference at the Charleston Convention Center Monday through Wednesday. NGVAmerica and a number of its members participated in this successful program. Co-hosted by W. Va. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, the event kicked off Monday evening with a reception …

On Thursday, the City Council of the Central Texas Temple voted unanimously to move forward on plans to build a $1.6 million natural gas public fueling facility. The city also has authorized the purchase of 14 CNG solid waste collection trucks to replace some of the older diesel-powered models. The trucks are set to start …

On Monday, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a government resolution to convert no less than 50 percent of Russian public transport to CNG, LNG and LPG. On Tuesday, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with his Cabinet and top managers of oil and gas companies to discuss the implementation of the resolution. At …

On Tuesday, Clean Energy Fuels and Mansfield Energy Corp. announced a strategic partnership to co-market their services. Mansfield is the largest “behind the gate” fuel provider in the country, selling 3.5 billion gallons of fuel to 3,500 customers annually at 18,000 fueling locations. Mansfield Gas Equipment Systems has ongoing CNG service and operations contracts with …

Next Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold the first in a series of three public listening sessions to gather information from stakeholders with an interest in ensuring federal policy evolves to take into account the new supplies of natural gas. The sessions will be held in …

The top two tax writers on Capitol Hill want to overhaul the federal tax code for the first time since 1986, and they are soliciting help from the public to help get it done. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) launched a website Thursday …

Governor Tom Corbett announced that Pennsylvania will invest $9.6 million in 13 alternative energy projects across 11 counties. The projects were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) through the Alternative and Clean Energy Program (ACE). Among the approved projects is PMF Industries, Inc., a precision metal forming manufacturer, which will receive a $250,000 ACE …