Oct. 10--CLAREMORE -- Claremore is one of the elite cities in Oklahoma that has a public fueling station for compressed natural gas (CNG). Located near Walmart and the Claremore Cinema 8 on Country Club Road, the fueling station serves anyone with a gas converted vehicle. Other locations in Oklahoma include Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, and Muskogee.

Interest in CNG has been growing as one means of alleviating America's dependence on foreign oil.

When T. Boone Pickens came out in support of the idea two years ago, it began to take on speed. Surely this billionaire businessman turned philanthropist knew a thing or two.

Earlier this year, Owasso city staff announced plans for a historic replica-style gas station to be built featuring pumps to provide a cleaner, more economic fuel source using CNG. City manager Rodney Ray said it just made sense to city staff. After all, natural is one of Oklahoma's natural resources.

The Sooner State has some of the largest natural gas reserves in the United States.

And with 31 publicly accessible CNG fueling stations, Oklahoma is second only to California. While our environmentally conscious neighbor on the west coast has an astounding 129 public fueling stations according to www.cngnow.com, Oklahoma comes in ahead of New York with 29 and Utah with 27.

Many states have only one public fueling station, and an estimated 15 states have no publicly accessible CNG fueling stations. That will have to change if CNG is going to move into the future as a primary fueling source for vehicles in this nation.

Now Rogers County Industrial Development Authority is stepping forward to lead the way toward building an economic development initiative around CNG technology.

RCIDA has scheduled a series of briefings to introduce the concept to public officials, said RCIDA Executive Director Mickey Thompson.

Thompson believes CNG has the potential for substantial savings for taxpayers, businesses, and organizations.

"We are hoping that we can discover enough interest throughout the county that we can evolve a strategy that will render us an opportunity to build an engine conversion center to serve the northeastern Oklahoma market," said Thompson. "Already, there is a sub-cluster developing to the energy business in metro Tulsa for the manufacturing of components and the installation of CNG filling stations."

RCIDA believes there is an opportunity for Rogers County to benefit from the emerging CNG field. In addition to public fleet fuel savings, the county could become a leader in engine conversion investments, payrolls and financing, component manufacturing, distribution and economic expansion, but that vision needs city and business leaders to participate in building the reality.

"Right now, we just have a great idea," said Thompson.

RCIDA understands the power of public buy-in to a shared vision. That's why Thompson and the RCIDA staff and board decided to open up the arena for further discussion with public officials, business and civic leaders.

RCIDA hopes to develop a county-wide strategy to improve the feasibility of conversion while taking full advantage of the economic possibilities provided through this evolving technology. Rogers County can launch an economic development initiative in CNG.

"We hope that every school board member and every city or town council member along with senior staff members and every elected county official will attend one of these meetings," said Thompson. "Tribal, agricultural, institutional, organization and business leaders as well as the general public are also welcome to hear about the technology and the concept."

The 90-minute briefings, sponsored by the Claremore Progress, are scheduled on three consecutive Tuesdays and will be held at the Claremore Community Center, 2301 N Sioux Ave. The sessions will be held Oct. 12 from 6:30-8 p.m.; Oct. 19 9-10:30 a.m., and Oct. 26 from 6:30-8 p.m.

The meetings are free but reservations are required. Register by calling Rachel Merriott at 918 343-8959 or email rachel.merriott@RCIDA.com

Buck