Posted: March 29, 2011 - 8:04pmPhotos

Brad Lacy, CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, stands with the new GMC Yukon powered by compressed natural gas given to the chamber by Crain Automotive and Southwestern Energy. The presentation was made Tuesday morning before a large crowd of chamber supporters and employees of Southwestern Energy and Crain Automotive. BECKY HARRIS PHOTO

By Becky Harris
Green — Conway green — was the color of the day at Conway’s Crain Automotive on Tuesday, as the Buick/GMC dealer and Southwestern Energy presented the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce with a new Yukon powered by natural gas and branded with the “Get Smart” logo and signature green color.Present for the unveiling with a flourish were representatives from Southwestern Energy, General Motors and Crain who talked about their partnership in converting the SWN fleet to natural gas.George Sheffer of SWN said before the end of the year, SWN will have 100 vehicles in the Fayetteville Shale region converted to CNG, compressed natural gas.Several SWN pickup trucks with CNG conversion were on display at the dealership.“Natural gas is a good deal,” Sheffer said, with CNG’s cost about half as much as gasoline.A CNG station will open soon in Damascus.In the future, Conway may be seeing pumping stations around town for those taking advantage of the lower cost of CNG compared to gasoline, said Brad Lacy, CEO of the Chamber.Until Conway gets a pumping station, the Chamber’s new car will fill up at Crain Automotive, requiring an overnight stay.A pumping station is more efficient, however, requiring only four minutes to refuel, said Ray Talley, Crain’s shop foreman.Lacy said the bright green van will be used for calling on potential chamber members and will be seen around town wherever folks gather, (Staff writer Becky Harris can be reached at becky.harris@thecabin.net or 505-1234.)

Buck