NGVAmerica News Week in Review: January 25, 2016

 

• 50 Cent Fuel Credit Lowering Fuel Prices across the Country – Down to 39 cents in Oklahoma!
• New Mexico Calls for Increase Use of Natural Gas Vehicles
• NGVAmerica Sponsors Upcoming Energy Independence Summit
• NTEA’s Green Truck Summit Approaching with Expanded Educational Program
• Westport Earns EPA Certification for Dedicated and Bi-Fuel CNG Ford F-150
• Ricardo to Help Develop Technology for Ultra-Low-Emission Natural Gas Engines
• NTEA’s Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit Coming Soon
• Greater Indiana Clean Cities Launch Green Partner Program
• Piedmont Natural Gas Approves Acquisition by Duke Energy
• Westport and Volvo Launch Bi-Fuel Volvo V60 in Europe
• General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers Second LNG-Powered Containership
• Cosmodyne to Supply LNG Liquefier to Eagle LNG for Marine Fueling
• Consumer Boat Manufacturers Debut First Factory Designed Natural Gas Boat

 

50 Cent Fuel Credit Lowering Fuel Prices across the Country – Down to 39 cents in Oklahoma!

January 25, 2016

Since Congress extended the 50-cent alternative fuel excise tax credit, many fuel retailers across the country have dropped their prices for natural gas fuel. The fuel credit, which was included as part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, was extended retroactively for all of 2015 through 2016.

This credit is an important incentive to fuel providers that are investing heavily to expand the country’s natural gas fueling network by building natural gas stations across the US. Many companies are opting to pass this savings onto the consumer by lowering fuel prices to account for the 50 cent per GGE credit.

One example of this trend that has garnered significant attention recently is the CNG station located at the 7-Eleven in Moore, Oklahoma, a station that already boasted some of the least expensive CNG prices in the country. By passing the 50-cent credit on to its customers, the 7-Eleven station in Moore is now selling CNG at just 39 cents per GGE. Compared to the current national average price for gasoline ($1.83 per gallon), the savings offered at this station is nearly $1.50 per gallon.

Other examples of falling CNG prices include a public station in Clearwater, Florida that is now offering CNG for a reduced rate of $1.17 per GGE and, according to the Pueblo Chieftain, a station in southern Colorado reduced its prices from $1.99 to $1.49 per GGE of CNG.

“The alternative fuel tax credits are an important incentive that provides hundreds of millions in savings to NGVAmerica members and their customers for using clean-burning natural gas for their transportation needs,” said NGVAmerica President Matthew Godlewski. “It is encouraging to see these savings being realized by fleets and consumers across the country.”

Also included in the PATH Act of 2015 is the Extension of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which extends the 30 percent/$30,000 investment tax credit for alternative vehicle refueling property and the $1,000 tax credit for home refueling appliances.

More information on natural gas stations and fuel costs can be found on the US DOE’s Alternative Fuel Data Center (AFDC) website here.

 

New Mexico Calls for Increase Use of Natural Gas Vehicles

January 25, 2016

On January 19, the New Mexico legislature introduced a Joint Memorial (HJM 5) touting the need to increase the use of natural gas vehicles in the U.S. NGVAmerica, TECO (New Mexico Gas Co.), and Clean Energy have been working with legislative leaders on these resolutions. The Joint Memorial sponsored by key leaders in the legislature calls for a report later this year on steps the state can take to promote the increased use of natural gas vehicles.

Specifically, the Joint Memorial requests that the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and the Economic Development Department develop a report that identify:

• How New Mexico can increase the use of natural gas vehicles (NGV) within the state including what types of incentives are needed;
• Obstacles to increasing the use of NGVs by large fleet operators and individual consumers;
• The methods being used by other states to promote their NGV markets;
• The potential for New Mexico to receive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program funding and other federal funding to increase NGVs; and
• A plan for alternative fuel corridors within the state.

The Departments are to consult with members of the New Mexico Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition. The Report is to be presented prior to November 15, 2016. New Mexico currently ranks number seven in the U.S. in terms of natural gas production. Increasing the use of natural gas in general and more specifically in transportation is seen as a key economic driver for the state.  One area where natural gas vehicles could play a major role in New Mexico is in supporting the build out of the states inland port, Santa Teresa, which is currently experiencing significant growth.

The legislature also has introduced a measure in the House (HB 176) that directs state authorities to provide a weight allowance for natural gas trucks based on the additional weight of their fuel systems and storage tanks.

 

Westport Earns EPA Certification for Dedicated and Bi-Fuel CNG Ford F-150

January 19, 2016

Westport Innovations has received certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the dedicated CNG and bi-fuel CNG Westport WiNG Power System models of the Ford 5.0L F-150 trucks for model year 2016. This marks the first time that Ford has offered gaseous prep in the 5.0L F-150, a best-selling vehicle in both the US and Canada. With CNG capable engines, the F-150 5.0L is the only half-ton pickup in the market offered by an original equipment manufacturer.

In addition, Westport has already received EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification on a number of other MY 2016 vehicles, including the F-250/350 6.2L in both bi-fuel (EPA) and dedicated (EPA and CARB); the F-450/550 6.8L in dedicated CNG (EPA); and the E-450 6.8L in dedicated CNG (EPA). Westport also has pending certifications for the F-150 dedicated CNG (CARB); Transit Van/Wagon 3.7L dedicated CNG (EPA and CARB); and the E-450 dedicated CNG (CARB).

The F-150 is available with a MY 2016 5.0L V8 package and a 17 GGE or 23 GGE tank. The CNG model features two in-bed tank package options on both the dedicated and bi-fuel vehicles, with underbody option on dedicated for greater flexibility.

 

Ricardo to Help Develop Technology for Ultra-Low-Emission Natural Gas Engines

January 20, 2016

Ricardo will partner with Gas Technology Institute (GTI) on two major contracts to enable natural gas engines to provide a viable, fuel-efficient, and less polluting alternative to diesel power for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles on the highways of California.

Despite California’s substantial progress in reducing emissions from heavy-duty trucks and other mobile sources, diesel trucks remain major contributors to statewide emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), greenhouse gases (GHG), and diesel particulate matter (PM). By 2031, the South Coast Basin will exceed mandatory air quality standards unless NOx emissions are reduced 90 percent compared with today.

The Ricardo-GTI projects, co-funded by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), are intended to develop natural gas technologies that will reduce NOx emissions from heavy-duty truck engines, helping California achieve attainment of NOx emission levels that surpass the California Air Resources Board’s goals, consume less fuel than current diesels, and provide truck operators with higher engine performance with the same reliability.

On the first project, Ricardo will support development and testing of advanced natural gas ignition systems, as part of GTI’s collaboration with the California Energy Commission. Ricardo’s role in this project will be to conduct testing of two different advanced ignition systems—High Frequency Discharge (HFD) and Pulsed Nano Plasma (C2)—so that their effect on engine performance can be measured and evaluated. In addition to Ricardo and SoCalGas, GTI’s other partners on this project include Power Solutions International and EnerPulse Technologies.

The second project, also co-funded by SoCalGas, will see Ricardo support GTI in the development of an ultra-low emission natural gas engine for on-road class 4–7 medium and heavy-duty trucks, sponsored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. These classes of diesel vehicles are currently among the top ten sources of NOx emissions in California’s South Coast Air Basin, and are projected to remain one of the largest, even as the legacy fleet of older and higher polluting vehicles are replaced by vehicles meeting 2010 emissions standards.

The development of ultra-low emission natural gas engines could significantly reduce emissions from this on-road source category and assist the region in meeting Federal ambient air quality standards in the coming years. Such ultra-low emission natural gas engines, capable of emitting 90 percent lower NOx emissions relative to current standards for heavy-duty vehicles, would approach the regional NOx emissions associated with operating an equivalent all-electric heavy-duty vehicle, when the emissions associated with the electricity production are taken into account.

“We at Ricardo look forward to working with GTI and its other partners on these two exciting projects, in which we aim to address some of the key technical and engineering development challenges to bringing natural gas forward as an attractive alternative to diesel fuel for the medium and heavy-duty trucks on California’s highways,” said Ricardo president Clive Wotton.

 

NGVAmerica Sponsors Upcoming Energy Independence Summit

January 25, 2016

NGVAmerica is a proud sponsor of the upcoming Energy Independence Summit that will be held in Washington, DC on February 8–10.  The 2016 Summit is a great way to meet and interact with more than 150 of the nation’s top clean transportation leaders, including almost 50 Clean Cities Coalitions Coordinators representing over 14,000 grassroots stakeholders, including leaders from the NGV industry, leaders in the broader alternative fuel industries, and state and local government innovators. The Summit will feature educational sessions and presentations from the nation’s leading clean transportation experts:

• Future of the alternative fuels industry;
• Federal funding and incentives to promote alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure;
• Successful alternative fuels and vehicle projects across the country; and
• Innovative state and local policies and programs that are advancing markets for cleaner fuels and vehicles.

In addition, the Summit will include a day of briefings and meetings on Capitol Hill where Clean Cities leaders and industry partners will spend time talking with Congressional and federal agency officials about alternative fuel, advanced vehicle and infrastructure projects, as well as other successes achieved with the support of government leaders and industry. The day will close with a networking reception hosted by UPS and attended by key Members of Congress and their staff.  To register for the Summit, click here.

NTEA’s Green Truck Summit Approaching with Expanded Educational Program

January 25, 2016

The Green Truck Summit, an alternative fuels and advanced technology conference held annually in conjunction with The Work Truck Show, features a more comprehensive educational program for 2016. The event includes a full day of in-depth general sessions on innovations for vocational trucks on March 1. Attendees can also choose from more than 30 Green Truck Summit and Work Truck Show concurrent sessions covering a range of topics March 2–3.

At the Summit, representatives from leading fleets will share insights about their real-world experiences selecting and deploying new truck technologies, including natural gas technologies.

“We have united the Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit concurrent schedules on March 2 and 3, so educational registrants for either event can attend any concurrent session on those days,” says Doyle Sumrall, NTEA managing director. “In addition to providing attendees with more diverse learning opportunities, the schedule shift allows us to host more Green Truck Summit general sessions on March 1. We are going to use this additional time to cover trending topics like CNG and telematics, which have broad appeal.”

Featuring content solely focused on multi-stage commercial vehicles, the Green Truck Summit brings together fleet managers, truck manufacturers, dealers, distributors and service providers.  In addition to participating in the educational program, attendees can get their technical and regulatory questions answered by NTEA staff and see the newest efficiency-boosting products in the Truck Productivity and Fuels Pavilion in the Work Truck Show exhibit hall. The 500,000-square-foot exhibit floor encompasses the latest vocational trucks, vans, vehicle components and equipment from more than 500 exhibitors.

Registration for the Green Truck Summit and The Work Truck Show 2016 is available at worktruckshow.com. For a complete schedule of Green Truck Summit general sessions, visit ntea.com/greentrucksummit/schedule.

 

Greater Indiana Clean Cities Launch Green Partner Program

January 20, 2016

The Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition has opened the newly developed Certified Green Partner Program for Coalition member partners to apply for certification status. The Coalition has presented the first three member inductees into the program.

The program will be open to targeted Coalition members that can provide fleet or fuel sales data for analysis of the pollutants emitted prior to the deployment of their fuel or technology. The applicants will be ranked on a one to five-star rating, based on a detailed analysis of their projects emission reduction benefits. Certified partners can promote their fleets greening efforts, as well as include in corporate sustainability portfolio information.

Eligible Vehicle Types: All on-road vehicles to include buses, medium and heavy-duty trucks, light-duty commercial and passenger vehicles are eligible for this program.

Eligible Fuel Infrastructure Operators: All owners and operators of fueling infrastructure offering on-road alternative fuels public fueling.

Emissions Targeted for Reduction and Evaluation: The program will measure reductions in four specific emissions: Fine Particulate Matter – 2.5 Microns (PM2.5); Nitrogen Oxides (NOx); Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

“Fifty-four counties in Indiana are designated as maintenance counties by U.S. EPA for their emission levels,” said Greater Indiana’s Executive Director, Kellie Walsh. “This status means that they are close to exceeding the emission levels allowed by the U.S. EPA. When exceeded, a county’s ability to draw new industrial and commercial businesses into their area can be restricted.”

The program aims to move all counties in their region into compliance by educating fleet operators and the companies that operate alternative fueling infrastructure on the economic and environmental benefits of alternative fuels and technologies in their counties, and assisting them in the implementation process.

One of the Greater Indiana Green Partners being honored is ampCNG/Fair Oaks Dairy for their 5 Star Class 8 Feet of 42 CNG trucks.

 

Piedmont Natural Gas Approves Acquisition by Duke Energy

January 22, 2016

Shareholders of Piedmont Natural Gas today voted to approve the company’s acquisition by Duke Energy during a specially called meeting of shareholders at Piedmont’s corporate offices in Charlotte. The proposal to approve the acquisition was supported by 66.8 percent of the company’s outstanding shares entitled to vote.

The companies filed for approval of the proposed acquisition with the North Carolina Utilities Commission and filed with the Tennessee Regulatory Authority to Transfer Piedmont’s Tennessee Operating License on January 15, 2016. The Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the 30-day waiting period under the federal Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act with regard to the acquisition. Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are targeting to close the transaction by the end of 2016.

 

Thomas Built Buses Hires New Manager of Alternative Fuels

January 25, 2016

Thomas Built Buses has hired John Roselli as the new manager of alternative fuels, effective January 18, 2015. Roselli will be handling sales, education and training for Thomas Built’s green vehicle lineup including both CNG and propane powered buses.

“John’s new position will help us continue to expand our green product line-up,” said Ken Hedgecock, vice president of sales, marketing and service of Thomas Built Buses. “In his role, he will be speaking with our customers one-on-one about alternative fuel options, providing key information on the newest alternative fuel advancements, and facilitating training workshops on key issues that our customers face such as funding, maintenance and infrastructure.”

Before joining Thomas Built Buses, Roselli served in dealer development roles and as director of alternative fuels for three years.

 

Westport and Volvo Launch Bi-Fuel Volvo V60 in Europe

January 19, 2016

Westport Innovations announced the launch of Bi-Fuel Volvo cars in Belgium and Luxembourg in connection with Volvo Car Belux. Unveiled for the Belgium market today at the 94^th European Motor Show in Brussels, the 2016 Volvo V60 Bi-Fuel car will be available for order at participating Volvo dealers in the region from January 2016.

“Westport’s global leadership in performance natural gas engine technology is built on years of innovation and experience working with automotive and engine OEMs to deliver practical product solutions,” said Nancy Gougarty, President and COO of Westport. “We continue to find new ways to meet future emissions reduction targets using alternative fuels and advanced engine technologies.”

Belgium currently boasts 40 natural gas fuel stations with 30 more planned for 2016. The number of CNG vehicles on the road increased from 650 to 2,600 between December 2013 and December, 2015. Through tax incentives and other initiatives, Belgium’s Flemish Region alone plans to increase its natural gas vehicles to 40,000 units and the number of stations to 300 by 2020.

 

General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers Second LNG-Powered Containership

January 22, 2016

General Dynamics NASSCO has delivered the world’s second containership to be powered by LNG, the Perla Del Caribe. The ship was delivered two months ahead of schedule and is the sister ship of the world’s first LNG-powered containership, the Isla Bella, also built by NASSCO for TOTE Maritime.

“The Perla Del Caribe and the Isla Bella exemplify world-leading, innovative technologies being used to build ocean-going ships that are cost-effective, friendly to the environment and offer a competitive edge,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager at General Dynamics NASSCO.

As part of a two-ship contract signed in December 2012 with TOTE, the 764-foot long Marlin Class containerships will be the largest dry cargo ships powered by LNG, making them the cleanest cargo-carrying ships anywhere in the world. This green ship technology dramatically decreases emissions and increases fuel efficiency when compared to conventionally-powered ship.

The Isla Bella was delivered to TOTE two months ahead of schedule in October 2015. This Jones Act-qualified ship has been operating between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

Cosmodyne to Supply LNG Liquefier to Eagle LNG for Marine Fueling

January 19, 2016

Eagle LNG Partners has decided to install a Cosmodyne natural gas liquefier for a new facility in Jacksonville, Florida. This facility is being constructed to address the growing demand for LNG in the southeast.  The natural gas liquefier features Cosmodyne’s safe, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective nitrogen refrigeration technology to reliably produce high quality LNG fuel. The plant will allow Eagle LNG to increase and decrease production in response to fluctuating market demand while maintaining high energy efficiency. This unique load-following ability to turn down production without an efficiency penalty is ideal for LNG plants deployed in markets where demand volume is developing or variable.

“We will provide a reliable and cost-effective system that satisfies the unique needs of the new market it will serve, providing ships with LNG fuel,” said George Pappagelis, General Manager of Cosmodyne. “Cosmodyne is excited to play an integral role in making LNG a viable alternative fuel for ships and look forward to a successful project with Eagle LNG and their customers.”

The equipment will be designed and fabricated in Cosmodyne’s California facilities.

 

Consumer Boat Manufacturers Debut First Factory Designed Natural Gas Boat

January 22, 2016

Blue Gas Marine and Dusky Marine have partnered to introduce natural gas fuel options to the sport fishing boat market. A Dusky Marine 252 featuring the CNG fuel-system technology from Blue Gas Marine powering its Suzuki outboard motor will be on display at the Miami International Boat Show, February 11–15 for sea trials. This is the first factory built boat designed from the ground-up to seamlessly integrate the fuel system for the sport fishing market, while maximizing range.

“With the ability to switch from gasoline to a natural gas energy source on the fly, our customers can have a fuel source that is both wallet and environmentally friendly while maintaining the convenience of traditional gasoline when necessary,” said Michael Brown, Vice President, Dusky Marine. “This hybrid system allows avid fisherman and boaters to significantly reduce their pollution output as well as their fueling costs, thereby allowing for more time on the water.”

The Blue Gas Marine Natural Gas Fuel system has accumulated accolades since its first debut to the market in 2014. The technology holds the 2015 Top Product Award from Boating Industry and the 2015 IBEX Innovation Award. This award winning technology is available on the market for boaters looking to outfit their existing boats and engines with the fuel system and also for those looking to add the system to new boat purchases. Blue Gas Marine can work with any boat manufacturer to add this system.