ADA, Okla. – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby was joined by more than 100 tribal officials, citizens, employees and guests in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station Tuesday, May 11.
The station is located at the Ada Travel Plaza, 201 Latta Road, in Ada, Okla.
The first tribally owned CNG station in Oklahoma is open to the public for fleet or privately owned vehicles.
The opening is part of the tribe’s effort to conserve energy by moving its fleet toward CNG fueled vehicles.
Gov. Anoatubby described the station as a “milestone” for the tribe.
“This is a significant step toward realizing the many benefits which will result from the widespread use of natural gas,” said Gov Anoatubby. “CNG not only lowers the cost of fuel and maintenance, it is better for the environment, boosts the Oklahoma economy and moves the U.S. closer to energy independence.”
With much lower fuels costs, lower emissions, decreased maintenance costs and an abundant supply of natural gas in United States, CNG is gaining popularity. However, lack of CNG fueling stations is a concern. Prior to the opening of the station in Ada, the nearest CNG fueling stations were located in Pauls Valley and Shawnee.
The “fast fill” station enables drivers to fuel vehicles in about the same amount of time needed to fuel a gasoline fueled vehicle.
During the event, Neal McCaleb, former Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, demonstrated the fueling.
“The bottom line is the Chickasaw Nation is on the cutting edge of leadership.” McCaleb said. “CNG is good for the nation, it’s good for Oklahoma and it’s good for the Chickasaws.”
About CNG: Compressed Natural Gas fuel burns clean with very low CO2 and NO2 emissions. It is also very economical with fuel costs about one-half or less that of gasoline powered vehicles. Since there is an abundant supply in the U.S., natural gas also reduces our dependence on foreign oil. The fuel can be used in a dedicated natural gas vehicle or a conventional gasoline or diesel vehicle retro-fitted for CNG. CNG-powered vehicles have lower maintenance costs due to the cleaner combustion of natural gas. An estimated 110,000 vehicles in United States are powered with CNG.