The Henry Bellmon Sustainability Awards support a cleaner environment in Oklahoma by recognizing persons and projects that promote “people, profit, and planet.”

This year, a portion of the proceeds from the Henry Bellmon Sustainability Awards will fund efforts to enhance the conversion of school bus fleets from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas (CNG). Specifically, a comprehensive school CNG fuel conversion guide will be developed to help school districts determine if they are candidates for converting or upgrading their fleets to CNG. If conversion is feasible and economical, we will provide grant writing support to those districts to assist them in capturing grant funds to cover conversion costs.

Click here to view our CNG photo gallery.

Of the 523 school districts in Oklahoma, less than 5% have converted their fleets to use CNG as a fuel. The use of CNG benefits Oklahoma and Oklahomans in many ways. Natural gas is less expensive than foreign oil and more abundant. In addition, Oklahoma is home to 16 of the top 100 natural gas reserves in America according to a 2009 US Energy Information Administration Report, and our state is 6th in the world for natural gas reserves. Increased use of natural gas in Oklahoma creates jobs, reduces unemployment, helps develop energy technology, and enhances economic growth. CNG continues to create innovative education opportunities for existing jobs. It is this education that makes the Oklahoma workforce more competitive.

Natural gas is cleaner than gasoline. It puts 30% fewer pollutants into the air and water than diesel fuel. Most school busses use diesel fuel made from foreign oil, and conversion to CNG will result in fewer emissions, creating a safer environment for students as well as for the community.

CNG costs at least 15% less than gasoline or diesel, and an equivalent gallon of CNG provides the same mileage as a gallon of gasoline. Because it burns cleaner, CNG fuel reduces maintenance costs for engine parts. After converting its fleet to CNG during 2009 to 2010, Tulsa Public Schools is currently realizing a $1,700/a day savings on vehicle energy costs.

Your support of the Henry Bellmon Sustainability Awards will help promote the use of CNG in our state. Your support will help educate school districts on the many benefits of CNG, help schools determine if they are candidates for CNG conversion, and assist those districts in securing funding for conversion to CNG fuel.

CNG Partners

Chris Benge, City of Tulsa Director, Intergovernmental & Enterprise Development
Meredith Weber, Tulsa Clean Cities
Tom Sewell, Tulsa Gas Technologies
Dr. Will Focht, Director, OSU Institute for Sustainable Environments
Rachel Gurney, OSU, Environmental Science Graduate Program Research Assistant
Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, Tulsa Public Schools Transportation Division Manager
Marcus James, Tulsa Public Schools Fleet Maintenance Manager