JEFFERSON COUNTY – In wake of rising gas prices nationwide, more and more drivers are eyeing the idea of purchasing or converting to a vehicle that uses compressed natural gas.
Currently, the national average of gas is $3.50 per gallon. Throughout Jefferson County, gas is currently sitting at approximately $3.59 per gallon.
However, one station is selling fuel for much less.
O-Ring CNG Fuel Systems, Punxsutawney, has been operating its compressed natural gas station for a year.
There, compressed natural gas is currently $2 per gallon.
Bob Beatty, its founder, told WJAC-TV that he believes using compressed natural gas will continue to become more popular. He predicts that in five years, compressed natural gas will not exceed $2.25 per gallon.
Beatty said that there is currently an abundance of natural gas, and he believes there is enough in Pennsylvania to last the next 150 years.
For Beatty, he said business has been successful.
Over the last year, he has opened stations in Punxsutawney, Coolspring and Rimbersburg.
His Punxsutawney station has about 85 customers.
Another station is slated to open near Interstate 80 in Clarion County.
According to CNGprices.com, there are only a handful of CNG stations in western Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the most expensive CNG station sells fuel for $2.13 per gallon.
Gallon said that it was costly to open up all three stations, but he said it has been rewarding to help curb the costs for drivers.
