Last this month Utah Gov. Gary Herbert will hold a ceremonial signing for a bill sponsored by a Cache legislator that hopefully will expand the number of vehicles using natural gas in the state.

House District 3 Rep. Jack Draxler's HB 70 was a piece of legislation that addresses the retrofitting of vehicles to operate on compressed natural gas. The bill puts in place certain safety standards for natural gas vehicle conversions and prescribes a process where conversions can be made by certified officials done for thousands of dollars less than processes that are currently available.

Also, under the new law, vehicle conversions will circumvent EPA approval of vehicles, keeping approval of conversions in state.

The bill was actually signed at the end of March by Herbert, but Draxler said a public ceremony will be held at the Capitol at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 19. Ceremonial signings are reserved for pieces of legislation that carry special significance.

Draxler said Thursday that most advertising about the features of the new law will be carried out through the private sector, with those who are qualified CSA-certified technicians advertising that they can put a conversion kit in vehicles and do it safely and less expensive than some of the conversion processes on the market now that cost $10,000 or more.

"They will advertise and they will promote it, the state Division of Air Quality will also promote it, and of course I will promote it," Draxler said. "I just think it's a very significant thing."

The full text and provisions of Draxler's HB70 can be viewed by Clicking Here.

 

Buck