The Dominican Republic's first natural gas compression and distribution plant was inaugurated yesterday by President Leonel Fernandez.

The plant, located in the Punta Caucedo Industrial Facility, was built at a cost of more than US$10 million and will odorize and compress gas imported by AES Andres so that it can be used in homes, vehicles and industry. They hope to supply 143,000 vehicles with natural gas over the next 3 years.

They will also set up shops were vehicles can be adapted to run on natural gas. Installation will run US$700 per vehicle. They will have 140 stations country-wide to sell the fuel.

Executives of the company, Linea Clave International, emphasized the fact that not only is natural gas more environmentally friendly but that it is 23% cheaper than liquified petroleum gas.