NGVAmerica News Week in Review: January 23, 2017

 

• Utah Fleet Adds 25 Natural Gas Ready-Mix Concrete Trucks, Installs CNG Station
• California Proposes Plan to Further Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• BC Transit to Complete Transition to All-CNG Bus Fleet in Nanaimo
• Xpress Natural Gas to Build Fueling Station in Pennsylvania, Create Jobs
• New Report Shows Environmental Benefit of Gas-Powered Vehicles
• NGVi Certifies First 100 CNG Fuel System Inspectors
• Midwest LNG and Clean Energy Provider Kinetrex Acquired by Equity Firm
• Brittany Ferries Prepares Way for New LNG Powered Ship

 

Utah Fleet Adds 25 Natural Gas Ready-Mix Concrete Trucks, Installs CNG Station

January 19, 2017

Geneva Rock Products, a ready-mix concrete and construction company serving Wasatch Front, Utah, has invested over $8 million in a new CNG fueling station and a fleet of 25 CNG ready-mix concrete trucks. Geneva Rock’s investment into clean air and sustainable practices is even more significant as it is among the largest air quality investments made by any construction company in the state of Utah.

“We all share ownership and responsibility for Utah’s air quality,” said Ted Wilson, executive director at Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR). “We applaud Geneva Rock for leading its industry by making this significant investment in new clean natural gas concrete trucks to help contribute to a better air quality solution.”

Geneva Rock’s CNG trucks will be the largest fleet of concrete mixers in the state, and Geneva Rock is the first ready-mix contractor to own and operate a natural gas filling station in the state of Utah. The station is located on the company’s property in South Salt Lake, and it can fill all 25 trucks simultaneously. The CNG filling station and fleet are just part of the company’s $30 million clean air initiative to help improve Utah’s air quality.

In addition to this announcement, Geneva Rock donated $25,000 to the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) to support their grants and education programs in 2017.

 

California Proposes Plan to Further Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
January 20, 2017

California’s effort to fight climate change took another step forward as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the proposed plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030—the most ambitious target in North America. The plan builds on the state’s successful efforts to reduce emissions and outlines the most effective ways to reach the 2030 goal.

Achieving the 2030 target under the proposed plan will continue to build on investments in clean energy and set the California economy on a trajectory to achieving an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This is consistent with the scientific consensus of the scale of emission reductions needed to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at 450 parts per million carbon dioxide equivalent, and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic climate change.

“Climate change is impacting California now, and we need to continue to take bold and effective action to address it head on to protect and improve the quality of life in California,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “The plan will help us meet both our climate and our clean air goals in the coming decades and provide billions of dollars in investments to cut greenhouse gases, smog and toxic pollution in disadvantaged communities throughout the state. It is also designed to continue to drive creative innovation, generating good new jobs in the growing clean technology sector.”

Assembly Bill 32, signed in 2006, set California’s initial goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and directed CARB to develop a climate change scoping plan—to be updated every five years—detailing specific measures needed to reach the target. Today’s proposed plan, required by the Governor’s April 2015 Executive Order, updates the previous scoping plan to account for the new 2030 target codified in Senate Bill 32.

Of significance to the NGV industry, CARB has stated achieving the 2030 goal will require contributions from the transportation sector with an enhanced focus on zero- and near-zero emission vehicle technologies and the greater use of low-carbon fuels.

The first of three public hearings on the proposed plan will be held at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on January 27. The California Air Resources Board is slated to hold workshops in February and hear an update at the February 16 Board meeting. The Final 2017 Scoping Plan Update will be released in late March and be considered for approval by the Board in late April.

The full text of “The 2017 Scoping Plan Update: The Proposed Plan for Achieving California’s 2030 Greenhouse Gas Target” is available here. Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit comments by 5:00 p.m. PST on March 6, 2017.
BC Transit to Complete Transition to All-CNG Bus Fleet in Nanaimo

January 19, 2017

The delivery of 24 New Flyer buses this winter means that the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will boast a fully CNG-powered fleet. CNG-fueled buses reduce operating costs for BC Transit and for Nanaimo as the fuel is less expensive and has a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional transit vehicles.

“These additional 24 CNG buses will build off the success of the first 25, and will make Nanaimo our first fully CNG fleet,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “We look forward to introducing CNG technology to more communities across the province.”

According to FortisBC, using CNG reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 25 percent, and it also costs 25 to 50 percent less than traditional diesel fuel. Production of clean-burning CNG also supports British Columbians across the province, providing meaningful employment in both rural and urban communities.

The purchase of the 24 new vehicles represents an investment of $15.4 million in the Regional District of Nanaimo Transit System. To help offset the initial costs associated with the purchase of the new CNG buses, FortisBC will provide funding of up to $480,000. This funding represents 50 percent of the cost differential of CNG buses over diesel counterparts.

The successful CNG rollout sets an example for the rest of the province and country of how best in class technology can be used to deliver dependable transportation solutions, that in turn also help create a greener, more sustainable future. The 24 new CNG-powered buses are being delivered to the RDN throughout January and February. All buses are expected to be in service by the end of the Spring.

 

Xpress Natural Gas to Build Fueling Station in Pennsylvania, Create Jobs

January 19, 2017

Xpress Natural Gas (XNG), a leader in the “virtual pipeline” system that provides a network of compression stations and lightweight, high-capacity trailers, will construct a commercial CNG fueling station in Susquehanna County and create 88 new, high-wage jobs.

“We welcome businesses like Xpress Natural Gas that recognize the advantages that can only be found in Pennsylvania, and we extend our gratitude for the jobs they are creating and the ongoing economic stimulus that this project will provide,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.

Designed to daily fuel up to 100 trailers that the company uses to deliver CNG to customers across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, XNG will construct a 130,000 square-foot fueling station on 20 acres of land in Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna County. The company will invest $18.6 million in this first phase, which includes the land purchase and construction and infrastructure costs for the station. XNG has committed to the creation of 88 new, full-time jobs over the next three years.

XNG received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes $176,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs and $11,050 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Central Bradford Progress Authority.

 

New Report Shows Environmental Benefit of Gas-Powered Vehicles

January 12, 2017

A new study by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), an organization aimed to accelerate a sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels in the UK, shows that dedicated gas commercial vehicles have the potential to deliver significant greenhouse gas (GHG) savings when a non-fossil, renewable or synthetic methane blend is used.

The work—Emissions Testing of Gas-Powered Commercial Vehicles—published by the Department for Transport and supported by members of the LowCVP’s newly-formed Commercial Vehicle Working Group, recommends that the Government should continue to support the development of gas vehicle infrastructure and gas-powered vehicles, particularly dedicated gas, while increasing the supply of low carbon, renewable natural gas as a sustainable transport fuel in order to realize these benefits.

The primary opportunity identified in the earlier report Low Carbon HGV Barriers and Opportunities (2012) was to increase the use of natural gas and, ultimately, renewable natural gas, as a road fuel for heavy goods vehicle operation.

The LowCVP was commissioned in 2016 to conduct a testing program on the latest natural gas trucks to identify the performance of Euro VI vehicles and identify the greenhouse gas impacts, highlighting any areas for further development.

Stakeholders have indicated that effective catalysis of natural gas is possible, as is more effective in-cylinder natural gas combustion. Two current Innovate UK/OLEV-funded projects are developing new retrofit dual-fuel systems that will be completed in 2019. At least one OEM is developing its own dual fuel system, with availability anticipated towards the end of 2017.

The testing indicates that the transition to Euro VI has, for diesel heavy goods vehicles, been effective in cutting overall NOx emissions by over 98 percent when compared to Euro V vehicles. A further move from Euro VI diesel vehicles to Euro VI dedicated gas increases the magnitude of that reduction in NOx emissions to at least 99 percent.

The LowCVP has been supporting the Department for Transport Task Force in activity to develop an overarching strategy together for HGV operation on natural gas. The LowCVP study has been published alongside the final report on the Low Carbon Truck and Refuelling Infrastructure Demonstration Trial, which began in 2012 and concluded in 2016.

 

NGVi Certifies First 100 CNG Fuel System Inspectors

January 16, 2017

Natural Gas Vehicle Institute announced that 100 CNG Fuel System Inspectors have been certified since the company’s CNG Fuel System Inspector Certification program launched in September 2016. This industry milestone means these technicians, the first 100, have demonstrated comprehensive inspection competency. This group represents heavy-duty truck leasing companies, refuse fleets, cylinder manufacturers, municipal fleets, truck manufacturers and dealers, school districts, transit agencies, trucking companies, food and beverage delivery companies and independent truck service centers.

“We are delighted that our certification program has been well received by the industry and has succeeded with a high participation rate after only three months of operation,” said Annalloyd Thomason, NGVi’s Vice President and General Manager. “This clearly demonstrates that companies recognize the need and value of NGVi’s certification, which offers a greater level of confidence in their technicians’ abilities to conduct CNG fuel system inspections. This, in turn, contributes to overall NGV fleet safety.”

NGVi’s CNG Fuel System Inspector Certification program is administered independently from the company’s training programs, and is designed according to the requirements of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). It was created by industry experts and based on a detailed job study of tasks required to be performed by CNG Fuel System Inspectors, according to federal codes and standards, and industry best practices.

NGVi’s certification program is overseen by an independent Advisory Board, including representatives from Agility Fuel Systems, Hexagon Lincoln, Penske Truck Leasing, UPS, Volvo, Waste Management and Worthington Industries.

NGVi’s CNG Fuel System Inspector certification is valid for five years. The certification exam is offered live at various locations throughout the country, as well as online via an electronically-proctored exam that can be scheduled individually and taken at a time convenient for the participant.

For more information about NGVi’s CNG Fuel System Certification, visit the NGVi website.

 

Midwest LNG and Clean Energy Provider Kinetrex Acquired by Equity Firm

January 19, 2017

Parallel49 Equity announced the acquisition, in partnership with management, of Kinetrex Energy from Citizens Resources. As the leading supplier of LNG in the Midwest, Kinetrex operates two LNG production facilities in Indianapolis, each with 1 billion cubic feet of cryogenic storage capacity. LNG allows Kinetrex to take natural gas wherever it needs to go, providing fueling solutions to the transportation, commercial, industrial, agricultural and power markets, replacing costlier and less environmentally friendly fuels such as diesel, propane and waste oil.

In addition to LNG, the company also designs, markets and implements traditional pipeline natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) solutions for its customers. Kinetrex is a growing player in connecting and supplying RNG to the nation’s transport markets. RNG is derived from abundant renewable sources, including organic waste in landfills, wastewater treatment plants and agricultural operations, and emits approximately 90 percent less greenhouse gas as compared to diesel fuel.

“Since starting Kinetrex, we have become the leading Midwest provider of high quality LNG as a clean and alternative energy fuel source, said Aaron Johnson, who will continue in his role as the CEO. “We are confident that Parallel49 Equity will help accelerate our growth strategy so as to achieve the same success in the RNG and PNG markets that we have enjoyed in the LNG market.”

 

Brittany Ferries Prepares Way for New LNG Powered Ship

December 21, 2016

Brittany Ferries has signed a letter of intent with the Flensburger Schiffbau shipyard in Germany to construct a new ship powered by LNG. The new ship will be one of the cleanest, most environmentally-friendly ships to operate in UK waters, as LNG emits less carbon dioxide during combustion than marine fuel oil and burns with no smoke.

“The signing of this letter of intent with the Flensburger shipyard is a concrete step towards the construction of a new generation of Brittany Ferries ships,” said Christophe Mathieu, CEO, Brittany Ferries. “Despite Brexit, we remain confident in our ability to continue to grow and modernise our route network, serving both tourism and trade in the regions of western Europe.”

More than four in five people travelling on the French company’s ships are British and more than 2.4 million passengers were carried in 2016. A final contract for the 1,680 passenger and 257 cabin vessel is expected to be signed in spring 2017. The new ship is expected to launch in 2019 on the Portsmouth­-Caen route which offers three daily return sailings. It will operate in tandem with popular cruise ferry, Mont St Michel, launched in 2002.