A Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that would make it easier and cheaper for Utahns to convert their cars to compressed natural gas.

Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan, said his bill, a substitute version of HB70, would cut down the costs of converting many vehicles from $14,000 to about $6,000. The savings come from allowing the state to regulate the vehicles and permitting certified automotive technicians to make the changes without needing kits approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The House has passed the bill, and now the Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee has unanimously recommended it to the Senate.

In earlier debates Draxler told his colleagues that the EPA does not object to letting the state regulate safety and emissions under his proposal, which requires an inspection every three years or 36,000 miles or after a crash. That changed this week when EPA wrote to the governor's office with concerns that the bill could confuse motorists or technicians about what is allowed.

"They still aren't saying, 'Don't you dare do it,'" Draxler said.

Using EPA kits is costly because it's expensive to get the agency's approval for each year and model or engine class. Draxler said this process is no safer than relying on certified technicians.

Buck