Mead pushes for natual gas vehicles

Gov. Matt Mead is teaming up with the governors of several other states encouraging U-S automakers to develop affordable natural gas vehicles.

The governors signed a memorandum of understanding this week, stating that they will replace vehicles in their state fleets with ones powered by natural gas.

Shawn Reese is Mead’s policy director.

“So what the governor is doing is trying to come up with those economies of scale – a critical mass of fleets that would entice the auto manufacturers in Detroit to manufacture more natural gas-powered vehicles.”

Reese says that would be good for Wyoming because of the abundance of natural gas here … and because it would cut down on carbon emissions.

There are more than 6,700 vehicles in the government fleet.