CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin announced on August 10 that bids for the 2013 model-year statewide motor vehicle contract will include compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled vehicles. This comes as a request from his Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force, created to determine whether it’s feasible to transition the State’s fleet to natural gas as a fuel source and to develop fueling infrastructure for the fleet.

After awarded, this contract will make available 36 different types and sized vehicles for state agencies and local governments in West Virginia. Of the 36 different types and sized vehicles, ten types will be fueled by compressed natural gas, according to a release from the Governor’s Office.

The task force is exploring interest in partnerships with and among natural gas producers, infrastructure developers, vehicle manufacturers, and other industry leaders to expand the natural gas fueling infrastructure in West Virginia.

The contract bid is in the West Virginia Purchasing Bulletin. The Purchasing Division will hold a pre-bid conference August 22, and the bid opening is scheduled for Sept. 6. Additional information is available to prospective bidders and can be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Division at 304-558-4785 or 304-558-2306.

Tomlin is one of several governors who have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in support of developing natural gas as a transportation fuel for use by state-owned vehicles. Other states looking into using natural gas as a tarnsportation fuel include Colorado; Oklahoma; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Mississippi; New Mexico; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Texas; Utah; West Virginia; and Wyoming.