DETROIT - Chesapeake Energy Corporation was one of several recipients recently awarded the 2010 Sustainable Fleet Award at the NAFA Institute & Expo (I&E) in Detroit. The award recognized Chesapeake's program to convert its light-duty truck fleet to operate on clean-burning American natural gas.

NAFA's Sustainable Fleet Award is an international competition recognizing ground-breaking fleet programs for reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions and reducing operating expenses. Chesapeake was recognized in the Sedan/Light-Duty -- Non-Mandated Clean Air Category, highlighting Sedans/light-duty fleets located in areas of the U.S. or Canada that are not covered by a government mandate to reduce carbon emissions.

The Sustainable Fleet Award was presented by NAFA Treasurer Bryan Flansburg, who directs the association's Fuels & Technology Advisory Council, and was accepted by Anthony Foster, Chesapeake's fleet operations manager. "It is a privilege to accept this award on behalf of Chesapeake and our NGV Team. As fleet managers, we want to have a positive impact on the communities where we operate. Converting our company fleet to run on clean, American natural gas is one way we can have a positive impact because CNG is good for both the environment and economy," said Foster.

"Chesapeake Energy has been at the forefront of the growing CNG movement in America," said NAFA Executive Director Phil Russo. "The company's robust CNG fleet conversion program is part of a bigger initiative to adopt sustainable practices within its company fleet operations."

Chesapeake will convert 1,000 trucks within its corporate fleet in the next 12-18 months, with plans to convert the entire fleet of 3,300 over the next 3-4 years. Through the fleet conversion, Chesapeake will enable local fuel retailers to add CNG pumps to existing facilities or build new CNG stations that will provide public fueling for the community as well as access for Chesapeake's fleet. As a result of the first phase of this program, nine public CNG stations will be built this year in Oklahoma and two in Arkansas. The company plans to expand the program to its other operating regions throughout the country over the next four years.