Natural Gas Vehicles for the Government Fleet (April 19)
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 1989 the Alberta government partnered with the federal government to encourage the use of natural gas cars, trucks, and buses in Alberta.
By 2005 only .2 per cent of vehicles in Alberta were powered by natural gas. To the Minister of Service Alberta: with numerous environmental benefits does the minister agree that it is time for the government of Alberta to show leadership and commit to converting half of the government fleet to run on natural gas within five years?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We know that in Alberta some individuals choose to power their vehicles by natural gas, and that’s certainly up to each individual. There are also many other choices out there, whether it’s the hybrid vehicle or whether it’s the fuel-efficient vehicles. I think it’s up to Albertans to choose those vehicles, make the best choice for their circumstances.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are talking about the government fleet.
Given that the government documents say that utilizing natural gas as a vehicle fuel can generate significant operating cost savings on a per-vehicle basis and at an aggregate level, can the minister tell us why in times of fiscal restraint the government is not exploring this money-saving option?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again with respect to the price of natural gas, we know the price of natural gas is at an all-time low right now. We know that in the future it’s probably going to start to go up again. At the same time, with the other options that are available in the fleet with respect to the hybrids and the fuel-efficient vehicles, that’s a direction the government is moving into as well as no longer having leased vehicles but all purchased vehicles.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the leadership in adopting natural gas vehicles in the state of Utah and by corporate leaders such as EnCana, will the minister commit to lowering the province’s impact on the environment and our deficit by implementing a natural gas vehicle fleet?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, with respect to the natural gas we know that there’s quite a cost with respect to converting the vehicles to natural gas. That’s something we’d have to take into account if we ever go in that direction. At the end of the day I think the hybrid vehicles, the fuel-efficient vehicles, and all those areas that we have are the best direction at this time.
Alberta Hansard, April 19, 2011