T. Boone Pickens' ambitious campaign to convert most US vehicles to natural gas is taking root in the billionaire oilman's own hometown -- but is there more to recent developments in Dallas than meets the eye?
At the urging of Pickens and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) this week halted its plans to buy a fleet of more than 500 new diesel-powered buses. According to Tuesday's Dallas Morning News, Leppert said buying buses that run on diesel instead of compressed natural gas would send the wrong message. "As a city, we have been very conscientious in moving forward and being at the forefront of environmental issues," Leppert was quoted as saying.
But is it really all about the environment?
Turns out, Pickens is the largest shareholder in Clean Energy, which, according to the Morning News, would provide the fuel and fueling stations if DART decides to buy the 500-plus natural gas-powered buses.
Meanwhile, Pickens has met with Leppert, a fellow Republican, several times in the last year, according to the mayor's public calendar, and Pickens and his wife donated at least $15,000 to the mayor's 2007 campaign, the paper reports.
Leppert insists his support for natural gas vehicles has nothing to do with Pickens. But some DART board members, as well as members of the interested public, are skeptical. Given the financial and political implications, perhaps they have reason to be.
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