By Debra DeHaney-Howard and Judy Sheahan
July 4, 2011

A special forum on natural gas was held during the Conference of Mayors 79th Annual Meeting in Baltimore on June 18. The forum featured mayors who are leaders in their communities who have utilized natural gas as a means of reducing air emissions, reducing the impact on climate change, and increasing the nation’s energy independence. Featured speakers included Conference of Mayors Energy Chair Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, Clearwater (FL) Mayor Frank Hibbard, and North Little Rock (AR) Mayor Patrick Henry Hays. In addition, America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) Executive Director Dr. Kathryn Clay provided the mayors with some additional background and technical information regarding their industry’s operations and future plans.

Clay outlined the major benefits of utilizing natural gas. “Last year, the United States imported 1.5 billion barrels of oil from dangerous and unstable nations, while domestic gas production accounts for 89 percent of natural gas consumed in the United States,” Clay said. In addition, the transport sector accounts for nearly 30 percent of the United State’s greenhouse gas emissions but with the use of natural gas, greenhouse gas emissions are 29 percent lower than comparable gasoline light-duty vehicles.

Clay outlined ANGA’s future plans including the building of regional corridors for LNG and CNG fueling, partnering with developers for home refueling equipment, and engaging automakers to encourage vehicles fueled by natural gas. “I strongly encourage any mayor who is interested in switching their fleets over to partner with natural gas producers to assist you with your efforts,” Clay said.

Pulido, who moderated the panel, said “Natural gas has a lot of opportunities — with any challenges being surmountable.” The mayor explained the reason why he saw natural gas as such a viable option for his community. “I remember in the old days when the smog would get too bad, we used to have ‘no play days’ where you would put your head down during recess and be told not to breathe too deeply,” Pulido said. “Emissions are way down from those days and natural gas is a part of that.”

Pulido outlined what Santa Ana has already done by converting 100 percent of their 727 buses to natural gas. The mayor also wants to remove anxiety from people who would like to invest in alternative-fueled vehicles but fear they won’t find a fueling station. The city has 14 new fueling stations that include natural gas with even more in the Los Angeles area. In addition, the airport taxi fleets that have a natural gas option will be given a five percent consideration. Pulido would like every cab in his city to be able to run on natural gas.

“Clearwater is looking for options that make sense, as well as dollars and cents,” Hibbard told participants. He described his city’s comprehensive sustainability plan known as Clearwater “Greenprint.” Hibbard said, “This community action plan for sustainability helps all members of the Clearwater community work together to balance economic prosperity with environmental stewardship.”

The “Greenprint” plan includes a number of energy related strategies that enable the city to reach its energy efficiency goals, which include reducing greenhouse gases, making buildings more energy-efficient and expanding transportation options. Specifically, Hibbard highlighted the city’s compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station, noting that “It’s the first in the Tampa Bay area that will be open to the public.” Hibbard said, “Consumers will be able to fill their dedicated natural gas vehicles at the new fueling station and the city’s Solid Waste dump trucks will be among the first vehicles to fill up there.” “Natural gas vehicles are a viable solution to strengthen the economy by reducing dependency on foreign oil,” he added.

Clearwater plans to convert its municipal fleet — approximately 800 vehicles and more than 70 diesel-powered refuse trucks — to run on natural gas. Hibbard stated that through the annual fuel savings, the city expects the pay off of the vehicle to occur in a much shorter time period.

“The U.S. imports more than fifty percent of its oil from foreign countries, most of whom don’t like us that much. In my opinion this constitutes our country’s greatest transfer of wealth,” said Hays. “The economics for compressed natural gas makes sense and we should be doing more of it because it gives our residents a choice for their vehicles,” he added.

Speaking about the first compressed natural gas facility in Arkansas, Hays told participants, “The North Little Rock station was built near the interchange because it was the second highest commerce traffic area and will lead the way in developing a corridor of CNG facilities in the state.” A strong supporter of CNG, Hays stated, “The city is expected to convert most of its fleet, including sanitation trucks, street sweepers and other vehicles to natural gas this year.” Hays said, “Mayors have the responsibility to give their citizens a choice. It’s just the sensible thing to do.”