OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City residents can now fill up with compressed natural gas with the addition of a CNG pump at a Total Express convenience store, the Associated Press reports.

At the opening ceremony on Monday, Oklahoma energy secretary Bobby Wegener and state environmental secretary J.D. Strong touted CNG as a viable alternative fuel. Strong filled up his CNG-powered Honda during the event. "CNG is by far the cleanest fossil fuel out there," said Strong.

Wegener pointed to the use of CNG in cars as a way to lower America??s dependence on foreign oil. Using CNG as a transportation fuel reduces emissions and create jobs, too, Wegener said.

Total Express business development manager Todd Kelly said the company would open another CNG-equipped convenience store this fall. Kelly said CNG could be the answer to high gasoline prices. Monday??s prices had CNG for $1.49 per gallon and gasoline at $2.79 per gallon.

Total Express also will consider adding more CNG locations in the future. "I??d like to see it sooner rather than later," said Kelly.