Survey finds robust support for natural gas vehicles

72% of Floridians Approve of State Sponsored Incentives

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Florida Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (FNGVC) announced the results of a public opinion survey conducted by TelOpinion Research February 7 – 12, 2013.  The survey found that 72% of Floridians approve of a proposal in the state legislature to help convert commercial fleet vehicles from traditional fuels to natural gas as part of an effort to decrease U.S. reliance on imported oil, create jobs and improve air quality.

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The survey also found that 68% of respondents were aware of recent discoveries of large quantities of natural gas United States. Of the 600 people polled, 429 respondents or 72% of people asked, supported the idea of encouraging the use of natural gas vehicles through such a government sponsored incentive program.  In addition, 96% of respondents believe it is important to promote energy independence in the United States and 93% believe it is important to create, new well paying jobs and 95% believe it is important to protect Florida's environment.

Eric Criss, President of the Beer Industry of Florida and Chairman of the Florida Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, asserted the survey results bode well for proposed legislation supported by the coalition: "We believe that public support for the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel is both broad and deep.  This survey confirms that fact beyond any doubt."

House Bill 597 has been introduced in the Florida House of Representatives by Representative Lake Ray and Senate Bill 560 by Senator Wilton Simpson has its first committee stop in the Transportation Committee on Thursday, February 21^st.  The bill would encourage commercial fleet owners to invest in new natural gas vehicles through grants administered by the Office of Energy at the Florida Department of Agriculture.  Those same commercial fleet owners would repay their grants at the pump.  The public opinion survey can be found at the FNGVC website, www.fuelforjobs.com.

The FNGVC consists of a diverse group of Florida employers including beer distributors such as Champion Brands, waste-hauling companies such as Waste Management, and package delivery companies such as United Parcel Service (UPS). For a complete list of members click here.

SOURCE Florida Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition