The list below contains summaries of all Louisiana incentives and laws related to Natural Gas.
The state offers an income tax credit of 50% of the cost of converting a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel, 50% of the incremental cost of purchasing an original equipment manufacturer AFV, and 50% of the cost of constructing an alternative fueling station. Only dedicated AFVs registered in Louisiana may receive the tax credit. Alternatively, a taxpayer may take a tax credit of 10% of the cost of the motor vehicle, up to $3,000. For the purpose of this incentive, alternative fuels include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), biofuel, biodiesel, methanol, ethanol, electricity, and any other fuels that meet or exceed federal clean air standards. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:6035)
CenterPoint Energy offers preliminary feasibility studies for compressed natural gas fueling stations and may assist with vendor selection on a case-by-case basis within the CenterPoint Energy service area.
Point of Contact
Jim Tilley
Sales Manager Louisiana/Mississippi Region
CenterPoint Energy
Phone: (318) 429-4257
Fax: (318) 429-4240
jimmy.tilley@centerpointenergy.com
Clean Energy Fuels offers services to the natural gas vehicle industry that include competitive compressed natural gas pricing for larger fleet customers, as well as alternative fuel vehicle financing.
Point of Contact
Blake Littauer
Market Manager for Alternative Fuels
Clean Energy Fuels
Phone: (505) 554-6215
blittauer@cleanenergyfuels.com
The Louisiana Legislature urges the governor to develop proposals and take action to leverage natural gas as a primary transportation fuel for Louisiana residents and businesses. Because natural gas is less expensive than gasoline, it would allow the state to increase the fuel tax to fund necessary transportation infrastructure projects while still resulting in significant cost savings for customers. (Reference House Concurrent Resolution 115, 2010)
The Louisiana Legislature supports legislation the U.S. Congress is considering, which would expand the use of domestic natural gas reserves to reduce dependence on imported oil. In addition, the legislature urges federal agencies to purchase, when possible, vehicles that can be converted to run on compressed natural gas, when it is available. (Reference Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, 2010)
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (Department) will administer the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Revolving Load Fund to provide loan assistance to local government entities, including cities, parishes, school boards, and local municipal subdivisions for the cost of converting conventional vehicles to operate on alternative fuels, or the incremental cost of purchasing new AFVs. Eligible alternative fuels must meet or exceed federal emissions standards and include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas (propane), biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, and electricity. The Department must promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the loan program. As of September 2011, funding has not been appropriated. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 33:1419.1-33:1419.6)
All licensed on-road vehicles fueled by compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (propane) are subject to a special fuels tax through the Excise Taxes Division of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Vehicle owners or operators may pay either an annual flat rate in the amount of $120 per vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 pounds (lbs.) or a variable rate of 80% of the current special fuels tax rate. The owners or operators of a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. must pay 80% of the special fuels tax rate in effect, but not less than $120 per vehicle. The owner of any school bus may either pay an annual flat rate of 50% of the regular flat rate or 50% of the variable rate for on-road vehicles with a GVWR of less than 10,000 lbs, whichever is less. The flat rates are based on a special fuels tax rate of $0.16 per gallon and specified miles per gallon values for each vehicle type, and are subject to change. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:802.3)
Point of Contact
Special Programs Division
Louisiana Department of Revenue
Phone: (225) 219-0067
The Louisiana Division of Administration must purchase alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) capable of operating on alternative fuels that meet or exceed the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) standards, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Alternative fuels include compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), reformulated gasoline, methanol, ethanol, advanced biofuels, electricity, and other fuels that meet or exceed the CAA standards. State agency vehicles may be granted a waiver.
Political subdivisions may also purchase or lease AFVs, including HEVs and may acquire infrastructure to fuel AFVs. If the infrastructure is donated, loaned, or provided through an alternative fuel supplier, the supplier is entitled to recoup the cost of the equipment through fuel charges under the supply contract.(Reference House Bill 70, 2011, and Louisiana Revised Statutes 33:1418 and 39:364)The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources' Office of Conservation has regulatory authority over CNG safety, including fueling stations and the installation of conversion equipment in a vehicle. Vehicles equipped for, and capable of operating on, liquefied petroleum gas (propane) must have passed a safety inspection from the Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 30:732)
The Public Service Commission does not regulate the sale of CNG by producers, pipelines, distribution companies, or other persons when it is to be used as a transportation fuel. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 45:1163)