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ATLANTA — T. Boone Pickens renewed his call to convert the nation’s 8 million heavy-duty trucks from diesel fuel to domestically produced natural gas and criticized leaders from both major political parties for not having the “guts” to pass legislation providing tax incentives to help buyers cover the higher cost of the trucks.

Trucking’s growing use of alternative fuels was the focus of separate announcements by Florida companies last week to increase fueling options and the number of compressed natural gas tractors on the road.

With natural gas use increasing as a transportation fuel, energy companies are moving to export more of the fuel from the United States as they search for more profitable markets, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) signed an agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to allow state and local entities to buy compressed natural gas from Clean Energy for their vehicle fleets.

PITTSBURGH — The Technology & Maintenance Council said it has formed new task forces to look at natural gas, coolant and electronics issues facing the trucking industry.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Trucking’s experiment with natural gas engines continues to expand, as another major truckload fleet said it was testing the fuel, and a medium-size fleet already reported significantly favorable results in regional and local shipping.

A new survey found 51.4% of carriers are considering natural gas-fueled trucks when buying new vehicles, according to Transport Capital Partners and ACT Research.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Executives with both for-hire and private fleets said they increasingly are turning to cost-saving technologies and natural gas to reduce expenses in a slow-growth economy.

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth Truck Co. continued its push into the natural gas market, providing journalists and customers an opportunity earlier this month to test multiple models with engines that run on the fuel that’s garnering significant attention from the trucking industry.

Trillium CNG on Monday announced a joint venture to built fueling stations with a focus on the Interstate 65 and I-75 trucking corridors and major routes in Texas.