The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a natural gas vehicle (NGV) website to help public- and private-sector fleet operators decide if they want to convert part or all of their operations to NGVs. The website offers information on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) options. Inspired by the state’s booming shale gas play, Pennsylvania’s new state law (Act 13) passed earlier this year (see Shale Daily, May 11) authorized DEP to establish the Natural Gas Energy Development Program to distribute $20 million in grants during a three-year period to help pay for the purchase and conversion costs of NGVs. The website (www.dep.state.pa.us) section on the “Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program” offers more details on the grants as well as information on NGV conversions and fueling.

Denver-based Bear Tracker Energy LLC (BTE) said it has signed definitive agreements with an undisclosed U.S. independent oil and gas exploration and production company to construct, own, operate and expand a natural gas gathering system, cryogenic processing plant with a nameplate capacity of 20 MMcf/d, compression and related facilities in the Niobrara Shale in northern Colorado. Associated gas production from 176 sections in Weld County, CO, are to be dedicated to the gathering system during the term of the agreement. Construction is to begin in June with operations to start in the second quarter of 2013.