Lafayette, La., is emerging as a leader among municipalities in alternative fuel transportation, with dozens of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles already on the road and many more to come.

A report in The Advertiser (Lafayette, La.) explains that 45 of Lafayette Consolidated Government's (LCG) fleet vehicles - including 20 in the Lafayette Police Department and five CNG buses - now run on natural gas, and officials are planning to expand the CNG fleet to 110 units in three years. Just this week, the Lafayette City-Parish Council green-lighted LCG's purchase of 12 CNG buses from Gwinnett County, Ga.

The state's Department of Natural Resources has supported LCG with a $1.25 million grant to build a CNG refueling station, as well as $1.1 million for vehicle conversions. Another $1 million came directly from the state legislature.

The Advertiser's full report is available HERE.