Sen. Williams' Leadership on Advancing Lower Cost, Domestically Produced Fuel Network Lauded

Texas Clean Transportation Triangle Emphasizes Private Investment, Encourages Deployment of Natural Gas Vehicles Across State

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sen. Tommy Williams' landmark natural gas vehicle legislation, passed by the 2011 Texas Legislature, will pave the way for wider-scale deployment of lower cost, cleaner fuel vehicles across Texas. At an event sponsored by the Texas State Committee of America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) in Houston last night, Sen. Williams was honored with the Blue Flame award for his contributions to advancing the benefits of natural gas in the 2011 legislative session. He joined with local and state elected officials to highlight the benefits of Senate Bill 20, his legislation that creates the Texas Clean Transportation Triangle.

"Sen. Williams' bill is smart public policy for Texas," said David Blackmon, Lead of the Texas State Committee of ANGA. "Encouraging the deployment of natural gas vehicles in Texas is the right approach and positions the Lone Star State as a leader in the development and deployment of vehicles that are fueled by a domestically produced energy source that's affordable and cleaner burning."

The Texas Clean Transportation Triangle is a strategic plan that allows for private investment and development of a sustainable network of natural gas refueling stations along the Texas Triangle, the highway system connecting Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth along I-10, I-35, and I-45.  It is estimated that emissions benefits from the implementation of this plan over an estimated four-year period is the equivalent of taking more than 175,000 cars off Texas highways. Increased use of Texas-produced natural gas also means significant benefits to the Texas economy. The natural gas industry supports about 1.3 million jobs and generates about $177.5 billion to the state economy annually.

"Sen. Williams' legislation is a pro-consumer, pro-business approach that shows a commitment to cleaner air, job creation and a reduced reliance on foreign oil to fuel our vehicles and move our state and country forward," added Blackmon.

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) represents 30 of North America's leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies. ANGA members are dedicated to increasing the appreciation of the environmental, economic and national security benefits of clean, abundant, American natural gas. Learn more about ANGA at www.anga.us

SOURCE America's Natural Gas Alliance