SHAWNEE, KS — To improve air quality, Shawnee, Kan., this fall will invest city and federal funds in a compressed natural gas fueling station and three compressed natural gas fuel cars, according to the Kansas City Star newspaper on July 8. A federal program that works against transportation's negative impact on air quality is pitching in $86,000 for Shawnee's station/car project, and the city will contribute $42,000 of its own funds. Total project cost is $128,000. The federal air-quality program grants money to city and county entities through the Kansas Department of Transportation, but the program is overseen locally by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). Shawnee Public Works Director Ron Freyermuth said the city plans to replace three vehicles that use unleaded fuel with the three compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel sedans. CNG is regarded as a clean fuel that is marginally less expensive than unleaded gasoline. James Joerke, air quality program manager for MARC, said the federal program that is granting money to Shawnee aims to minimize ground-level ozone, a widespread air pollutant that affects the respiratory system. Joerke said emissions of unleaded gasoline contribute to this type of ozone. Sam Swearngin, manager of one of the Kansas City area's largest CNG fuel fleets, said CNG fuel is the cleanest commercially available alternative fuel. Swearngin manages the water services fleet for the City of Kansas City. CNG sedans look the same as regular sedans, Swearngin said. The only difference is less space in the trunk, where most CNG fuel tanks are mounted. Swearngin said CNG fuel tanks are thick and harder to puncture than gasoline tanks, but it takes three times the volume of CNG to get the same amount of energy that's in unleaded gasoline. Shawnee building inspectors and codes administrators will use two of the three new CNG fuel sedans; engineering inspectors or technicians will use the other. Freyermuth said construction on Shawnee's CNG fueling station probably will begin this fall at the current public works station at 67th Street and Quivira Road. The city also will begin the bidding process for the cars in the fall. MARC chooses the city and county projects in the Kansas City area that receive grants. Joerke said projects must demonstrate benefits and cost effectiveness, and MARC tries to select geographically varied city and county entities. Joerke acknowledges that adding three CNG fuel cars to Kansas City area roadways makes a small improvement in air quality, because the CNG fuel cars are drastically outnumbered by cars that use unleaded gasoline. But he added that any reduction in emissions is a step in the right direction. The upfront costs of using CNG fuel are high, because the city must acquire the station and the cars, Joerke said, but the costs go down over time. He said MARC wants to encourage governments to use alternative fuels and be aware of ozone issues. Joerke said most of the larger Kansas City area entities have applied for air-quality improvement funds, and MARC encourages all to do so. However, MARC must wait for the federal transportation bill to gain Congressional approved before it can assess funding for future programs in other communities.