CHARLESTON, W. VA. — Hundreds of natural gas and automotive industry professionals from across the nation are expected to attend the inaugural Appalachian Basin NGV Expo and Conference, taking place May 13-15 at the Charleston Civic Center in West Virginia.

Hosted by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, this conference brings together energy innovators, business leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for using the basin’s abundant energy supply to transform the transportation industry.

Conference participants will get the opportunity to see conversion kits, equipment and compressed natural gas derivative-fueled vehicles first hand.

Future in transportation

Because of the shale gas revolution in the Appalachian Basin, natural gas is now considered the game-changer in transforming the nation’s transportation needs.

At the Appalachian Basin NGV Expo and Conference, attendees will have the opportunity to preview the newest advancements in alternative fuel production and discover the latest developments in compressed natural gas and propane refueling infrastructure.

WVONGA has partnered with the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Gas Association and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association to host this first-ever Appalachian Basin NGV conference.

An array of conference speakers are scheduled to share their insights and experience including Richard Kolodziej, president of NGV America; Bill Davis, assistant director of operations with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium; and Jon Coleman, fleet sustainability and technology manager with Ford Motor Company.

Exhibitors will be showcasing the latest products and services, including vehicle manufacturers and other industry professionals .

Study

Last year Gov. Tomblin formed a task force to study the utilization of natural gas to fuel the state’s transportation needs. Tomblin sought to make West Virginia a national leader by evaluating the transition of the state’s vehicular fleet to natural gas.

Recommendations from the task force included transitioning a portion of the state’s vehicle fleet to natural gas and transitioning the state’s bus fleet to propane; increasing the maximum amount of a tax credit allowed for building natural gas fueling infrastructure; and encouraging the private sector to develop a communications strategy to educate the public on the benefits of natural gas vehicles.

The conference opens May 13, with a reception featuring West Virginia’s Landau Eugene Murphy, the 2011 winner of America’s Got Talent competition. Since winning the national television competition, Murphy has traveled the world and performed to sold-out audiences.

Registration

Go to www.ngv-expo.com/ConferenceInformation.aspx to register for the conference. To secure exhibit space call or email Rebekah Hogue at the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association at 304-343-1609.