State grants totaling up to $4.5 million are available to help develop fueling stations for natural gas-powered vehicles, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced Wednesday.

The grants are designed “to serve as a foundation for a self-sustaining market for natural gas vehicles in Texas,” the commission said.

Maximum grant amounts, specified in a bill passed by the Legislature in 2011, are $100,000 for a compressed natural gas project; $250,000 for a liquefied natural gas project; and $400,000 for a combined project.

Costs for such fueling stations “will vary considerably, depending upon size, type of fuel and other factors,” and may range from about $1.4 million to $2.5 million, commission spokeswoman Lisa Wheeler said.

Costs could be lower, however, if a station is established at an existing location such as a gasoline retailer. A compressed natural gas station for taxis and shuttles serving Dallas/Fort Worth Airport opened last year at 1731 E. Division St. in Arlington and cost about $800,000, said a spokesman for the station’s operator, Clean Energy Fuels. The station is open to the public.

Although Texas is the nation’s leading natural gas producer, only about 40 fueling stations operate in the state, according to an Energy Department website. Most sell compressed natural gas.

The website lists three stations in Tarrant County and 12 in Dallas County. Some are not open to the public.

The deadline to apply for grants is April 16.

Jack Z. Smith, 817-390-7724

Twitter: @startelegram?

Article source: http://www.cngnow.com/News/Post.aspx?ID=569