Alternative Fuel: Compressed Natural Gas

In 2007 Colorado began it’s “Greening Government” initiative, one of the goals being that 50% of the fuel bought for state vehicles should be alternative fuel. Our state is rich in natural gas reserves, and with that in mind, legislation was passed in 2009 requiring that state-owned vehicles operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) when possible, in the hopes of increasing the use of a transportation fuel that is clean, and locally produced.

( From C.R.S. 24-30-1104 (2) (c) (II))

Beginning on January 1, 2010, the executive director shall purchase motor vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas, subject to their availability and the availability of adequate fuel and fueling infrastructure, unless the increased base cost of such vehicle or the increased life cycle cost of such vehicle is ore than ten percent over the cost of a comparable nonflexible fuel vehicle.

In the last year there have been 2 recent studies analyzing the use of CNG as an alternative fuel:

• Experiences with Compressed Natural Gas in Colorado Vehicle Fleets, August 2012, from the Colorado Energy Office.
• The Colorado EnergySmart Transportation Initiative, March 2012, from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Energy Office

More information on CNG vehicles can be found on the Colorado Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition website. The Greening Government Transportation Efficiency Audit report from the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration may also be of interest. General information on natural gas in Colorado can be found on the Colorado Geological Survey website.