The hybrid vehicles have an increased cost of $4,000.

O'Leary and White proposed capital improvements of developing CNG infrastructure fast-fill and slow-fill stations. Cost per gallon of CNG would be $1.01.

The City has above-ground CNG tanks at Fire Station No. 5 and is looking at developing a southside fueling facility.

At a fast-fill station most vehicles can be refueled in minutes. A slow-fill refueling takes advantage of overnight hours or while the vehicle is not in use, and receives a 50-cent per gallon reimbursement from the federal government.

Until that happens, the University of Oklahoma has offered the City of Norman the ability to buy CNG for $2 a gallon at its new CNG facility.

O'Leary and White said the City also should hire a grant consulting firm to secure available funding to support the conversions.

They said the advantage of being on the leading edge include being prepared for future mandates if emissions bills are passed, environmental stewardship and possible future cost savings.

Ward 7 councilmember Doug Cubberley said alternative fuel vehicles could be particularly important considering those factors.

"To me, this is a no brainer --?let's try them," Cubberley said.

Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com