A panel discussion, titled “Making the Natural Gas Decision: Putting the Pieces Together,” is scheduled for 2:00-2:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the 2012 Green Fleet Conference & Expo.

Fleet managers wishing to explore their fleet-greening options can learn all about the benefits and challenges associated with making the switch to natural gas fuel – an option with a well-established safety record.

Natural gas fuel, in fact, has a number of safety advantages over gasoline and diesel fuel. Natural gas fuel is non-toxic and poses no contamination threat to ground water in the event of a fuel release. Since natural gas is lighter than air, it dissipates quickly during a release. Unlike gasoline, there’s no risk that natural gas fuel will form a dangerous puddle under a vehicle after a crash. In addition, natural gas has a limited range of flammability; both gasoline and diesel burn at significantly lower concentrations and ignite at lower temperatures.

According to the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation, natural gas vehicles boast an exceptional safety record for two primary reasons: the fuel’s own properties and the integrity of the natural gas vehicle and its fuel delivery system.

Natural gas cylinders, fueling stations, repair garages and such must meet very stringent standards to ensure safety. To a fleet manager inexperienced with natural gas vehicles, all the regulatory hurdles may seem daunting. That’s why the Green Fleet Conference is so beneficial. Fleet managers can learn how to best navigate the path to greening their fleet from experienced and knowledgeable experts in the industry.

John Gonzales of the National Renewable Energy Lab is set to moderate the panel discussion on Oct. 3. The conference will be held Oct. 2-3 at the Renaisssance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill.

To register for the conference, click here, or to check out the conference schedule, click here.