Ohio House committee supports CNG vehicle-tax incentives

COLUMBUS — A lawmaker panel has signed off on legislation creating tax incentives for the purchase or conversion of natural gas-run vehicles.

The House Finance Committee, on a unanimous vote Wednesday, approved HB 176, clearing the way for a potential floor vote by the full chamber.

It’s the second time the House has reviewed the proposed law changes – a similar bill by the same sponsors was OK’d last session but stalled in the Ohio Senate.

State Reps. Sean J. O’Brien of Bazetta, D-63rd, and Dave Hall, R-Millersburg, are hoping for support from senators this time.

“Other states are doing it,” O’Brien told the House Finance Committee. “When you look at what’s going on across the country, Ohio is actually behind.”

The bill would provide thousands of dollars in tax breaks to cover new-vehicle purchases or conversions from conventional fuels to compressed natural gas.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com