Jeff Groscost, former Arizona Speaker of the House and a long-time alternative fuel vehicle advocate and 1998 US National NGV Achievement Award winner, died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month in Mesa, AZ.  He was only 45 and is survived by wife, Dana, and six children.

A champion for natural gas vehicles (NGVs), Groscost was the architect behind the well-intentioned but legislatively flawed Arizona program that paid substantial incentives for vehicle conversions. The measure’s loopholes allowed for abuse that caused significant cost overruns and eventually cost Mr. Groscost his position.  Mr. Groscost recently had issued an apology to Arizona’s citizens for the misguided initiative. 

Despite the set backs, Mr. Groscost remained a staunch advocate and ally to the alternative fuels industry, continuing to promote them here and abroad up until his death on November 3. More than a thousand people paid their respects at the funeral Thursday, including Sen. John McCain, who provided a eulogy. Groscost will be missed by our industry and all those that knew him.