CHATHAM, Ont. -- Even without the Navistar plant, trucking is a vital part of Chatham says a local Conservative MP who is backing a study focused on boosting natural gas power in the region and other parts of Canada.

Chatham-Kent Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren says the study will look at ways to preserve the trucking and manufacturing base of this southwestern Ontario area, reports the Chatham Daily News.

Citing Canada's surplus of cheap natural gas, Van Kesteren would like to see natural gas production and truck engine development in the region as well as more investment in refueling stations.

"With or without the Navistar truck facility in Chatham there is an urgent need to maintain and expand the trucking industry presence in this part of Canada,' he told the newspaper.

The Navistar Chatham plant has been idled since July 2009 when the company laid off its last 370 workers.

Although the company hasn't officially closed the plant, it's unlikely heavy-duty diesel truck production will resume after being moved to Mexico. Navistar is also seriously considering adding heavy-duty production at its Springfield, Ohio, facility.

Regardless of what happens with the mothballed plant, Van Kesteren sees natural gas power as a key driver for Chatham in the future.

"The point I want to make is that there is much more than manufacturing that can be done to boost the trucking sector in southwestern Ontario,' he said.