Besides Happy Cab, the installation of the stations is a project of Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD), which received a loan of USD 2.2 million from Nebraska Energy Office. “If this is helpful in reducing our dependence on foreign oil and becoming more energy independent, I think it is a good idea,” said Heineman.
The dispensing facilities will be the first in the area to sell CNG to the public and the objective is that more people purchase OEM NGVs. Moreover, the district plans to acquire 84 new vehicles running on natural gas over the next year, including vans and heavy-duty trucks, reported local newspaper Omaha.com.
It is worth mentioning that the grant awarded by the state comes from a federal stimulus program. MUD’s president Doug Clark stated they also expect to receive federal financial support of up to an additional USD 1.1 million, also from stimulus funds, to buy the CNG vehicles.
