Oklahoma is positioned to be a leader in the conversion from foreign oil consumption to cleaner and locally abundant alternative forms of energy, energy experts say.

Natural gas is one form of energy being touted as one of the best ways to wean America from its dependence on foreign oil.

Energy experts say Oklahoma, as one of the top producers of the cleaner burning fuel, should take advantage and demand the changes that need to be made to make the transition.

“We’ve been too far behind for too long,” said Tom Price, senior vice president of government and investor relations for Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy.

Price, the keynote speaker to kick off the first day of the Green Country Alternative Energy Expo, held in conjunction with the Muskogee Regional Fair, said the fact that United States ranks eighth in the world in natural gas consumption “is an embarrassment.”

Price said General Motors manufactures 15 different vehicles equipped to burn compressed natural gas as its primary fuel source. That same company, one of three of the nation’s legacy automobile makers, makes none for U.S. consumers. Ford, Price said, makes only one model that is market ready.

Nations that consume more natural gas as an alternative source of automobile fuel include Argentina, Pakistan, Brazil, Italy, India, Iran and Colombia.

“We’ve got the fuel, and we’ve got the technology,” Price said about the need to convert the vehicles Americans drive from gasoline to compressed natural gas. Some of the obstacles Price said must be overcome to make that conversion included public demand, awareness and misconceptions.

Other factors included the high costs of vehicle conversions and the fueling infrastructure necessary to make compressed natural gas readily available in every U.S. market. Price said lawmakers must provide incentives to offset those costs.

While Price’s remarks focused on natural gas as a clean energy alternative to foreign oil, panelists discussed other sustainable resources such as biofuels, wind energy and solar power. Conservation measures also were featured by exhibitors who attended the inaugural exposition.

State Sen. Earl Garrison of Muskogee spearheaded the event, which was co-sponsored by Oklahoma Gas & Electric and Oklahoma Natural Gas. Exhibits included fleet vehicles converted to operate on compressed natural gas, a hybrid vehicle manufactured by Toyota, and an all-electric low-speed and off-road vehicles manufactured by Tiger Truck of Poteau.

Garrison said the exposition was intended to spark discussion about the nation’s energy needs and alternative fuel sources.

“We’re not going to solve all of the nation’s energy problems here today, but this is good place to start talking about it,” Garrison said. “This is important not only for economic development but for the security of this nation.”