House Speaker Chris Benge testified before Congress today in Washington, D.C. about his legislative efforts to secure natural gas as a viable transportation alternative fuel option as opposed to foreign oil.

Benge appeared before the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus at the invitation of Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren to tout his alternative energy legislation signed into law earlier this year.

Benge said he hoped the visit would lead to other states using Oklahoma’s legislation as a model.

“I am humbled and honored to be asked to testify about the tremendous results we have seen since the passage of our alternative energy legislation,” said Benge, R-Tulsa.

“We have a real solution that has proven effective in prompting private sector investment and growth in the compressed natural gas market. We have been grappling with how to overcome our dependence on foreign oil for decades, and today I was able to show members of the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus legislation that has true potential on a local level.”

This past legislative session, Benge authored House Bill 1949, which put in place CNG tax incentives that work to prompt private sector investment. This legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support, and is considered some of the most aggressive CNG incentives in the nation.

The legislation extended for five years existing CNG tax credits on either the conversion of an existing vehicle or the purchase of a new CNG vehicle. The measure provides for a 50 percent tax credit for originally equipped and converted qualified clean-burning motor vehicles.  The bill also extended the period that tax credit can be carried forward against subsequent tax liabilities for a period of up to five years.

The legislation also provides for a 75 percent tax credit for the costs that are associated with entities investing in CNG fueling stations.  Additionally, the measure also provides a tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and entities investing in CNG equipment that allows an individual to fuel their vehicle at home.

Since the enactment of the legislation, a number of companies such as AT&T, Apache, Chesapeake, OEM Systems and UPS have announced aggressive plans to convert a significant portion of their nationwide fleets to CNG vehicles, with an emphasis placed on their Oklahoma vehicles first.

Benge noted that since his legislation was signed into law earlier this year, he has been to four ribbon cuttings on CNG fueling stations across the state.

“I know this is only the beginning of the expansion as we seek to double the number of public CNG fueling stations in Oklahoma over the next five years,” said Benge.

In another bill, House Bill 1952, the state Department of Central Services is authorized to utilize state funds for the construction of alternative fueling stations in underserved areas of the state.

Additionally, the measure also increases the amount of funds that DCS may loan for infrastructure projects and also repeals the requirement that a CNG conversion kit installed in a motor vehicle in the state meet the exhaust emissions standards of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  The intent of repealing the CARB mandate in favor of the less-stringent EPA conversion standards is to lessen the cost-prohibitive burden that often impedes the conversion of vehicles to operate on CNG.

During his speech to the caucus, Benge also mentioned support for Congressman John Sullivan’s legislation that would reauthorize the Natural Gas Vehicle Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment program within the Department of Energy for five years. He also praised Sen. Jim Inhofe and Congressman Boren’s efforts to streamline EPA certification of conversion kits in a bipartisan, bicameral bill filed Tuesday, which would allow more kits to be manufactured and put to market.

“Ultimately, though successful, what we are doing in Oklahoma is but a small part in the national discussion that needs to occur about our energy needs and how they will be best met in the coming years,” said Benge. “I believe our lack of energy security is one of the greatest threats our country is facing today. It will take efforts from state and federal leaders and those in the private sector to make our citizens aware of this issue’s magnitude. There are some innovative solutions out there, and I hope each state will use its individual assets like Oklahoma has done with our natural gas resources to help move our country away from dependence on foreign oil.”

The Congressional Natural Gas Caucus is a newly-formed group meant to create awareness of the benefits of natural gas and importance of maintaining and creating American jobs within the industry. It includes over 40 members of Congress, including Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the caucus, Congressman Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, Congressmen Sullivan, R-Tulsa, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City.