NGVAmerica News Week in Review: June 26, 2017

•  LA Metro Awards Contract for 295 New Natural Gas Buses
• Pennsylvania DEP Announces Grants for Alternative Fuel Transportation
• Cenergy Solutions to Install Low Pressure ANG Systems in Commercial CNG Fleets
• Hexagon Composites VP Hexagon Composites Receives CSA Group Award of Merit
• Nashville Airport Receives2017 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award
• Ryder Named toFood Logistics’ Top Green Providers List for 2017
• Brittany Ferries Orders New LNG-Powered Cruise Ferry

LA Metro Awards Contract for 295 New Natural Gas Buses

June 22, 2017

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) voted to purchase 295 40-foot CNG buses, which will be fueled by renewable natural gas (RNG). The contract includes an option for the purchase of 305 additional 40 foot CNG buses. The buses will replace part of the aging bus fleet and signals a commitment by the transit agency, already the largest natural gas bus fleet in the nation, to continue using natural gas to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Los Angeles County.

“Transit agencies around the nation continue to realize the benefits of renewable natural gas,” said Dr. Kathryn Clay, interim director of NGVAmerica. “Diesel emissions continue to plague our environment, especially in cities like Los Angeles. But together, with the leadership from agencies like LA Metro, we can use natural gas powered vehicles to clean up the air and the environment in and around our communities today.”

“We take our responsibility to both the environment and taxpayers very seriously,” said Cris B. Liban, Metro Executive Officer for Environment and Sustainability. “By using renewable natural gas, as well as other technologies, we will continue to exceed our environmental goals and ensure we provide the best transportation service to our customers and region.”

LA Metro will vote on a similar purchase of buses at their board meeting next month. The commissioners will be looking at purchasing additional CNG and other alternative fuel vehicles to upgrade their fleet.

In addition to the purchase of these new buses, LA Metro will also begin retrofitting and replacing their buses with the new Cummins-Westport Low NOx CNG engines that reduce smog-forming NOx and GHG emissions that are 90% lower than the EPA NOx limit.

“This engine gives our customers the most affordable path to zero-equivalent emissions and the benefits of performance and reliability described by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District as equivalent to an electric vehicle,” said Rob Neitzke, president of Cummins Westport.

Previously, LA Metro awarded Clean Energy an RNG contract to fuel its fleet of transit buses. The deal calls for Clean Energy to provide Metro its Redeem brand of RNG that is made entirely from 100 percent organic waste.

Over the five-year period, the transition to RNG will reduce Metro’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 520,000 metric tons over the use of regular natural gas and by almost 900,000 metric tons over the use of diesel. Redeem is derived from biogenic methane or biogas, which is methane that is naturally generated by the decomposition of organic waste. The methane gas is then processed, purified and sent into the interstate natural gas pipeline and transported to Clean Energy’s and its customers’ stations.

Pennsylvania DEP Announces Grants for Alternative Fuel Transportation 

June 20, 2017

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting grant applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects that will result in cleaner advanced alternative transportation within the state. Grant applications for DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program will be accepted throughout 2017 with submission period deadlines in July and December 2017.

“Now more than ever it is important to look at ways that we can cut down greenhouse gas pollution from all sectors,” said Patrick McDonnell, DEP Secretary. “Transportation grants such as these provide support for schools and other entities to cut down on their carbon footprints and improve the air we breathe, all while saving money.”

The AFIG Program can assist school districts, municipal authorities, nonprofits, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered to do business in Pennsylvania in offsetting the costs of implementing alternative fuel using transportation projects. The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program is funded by annual gross receipts tax on utilities.

DEP is offering grants in the following project categories:

• Vehicle Retrofit or Purchase – To offset the incremental cost of purchasing alternative fuel vehicles or retrofitting existing vehicles to operate on alternative fuels.
• Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure – To assist in the costs to purchase and install refueling equipment for fleet and workplace, home or intermediary refueling.
• Innovative Technology – To support research, training, development, and demonstration of new alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

Applications for grants in the AFIG program will remain open to receive proposals throughout the 2017 calendar year. The Department will hold two submission periods. The first submission period deadline will occur on Friday, July 14, 2017, and the second submission period deadline will occur on Friday, December 15, 2017.

The AFIG program will accept applications at any time during the year and evaluate the applications received after each submission period and determine awards. Project applications received during the first submission period that do not receive an award can be resubmitted immediately for consideration during the next submission period in accordance with the AFIG Program rules.

AFIG guidelines and application instructions are available here.
Cenergy Solutions to Install Low Pressure ANG Systems in Commercial CNG Fleets

June 14, 2017

Cenergy Solutions have agreed to convert two CNG fleets to adsorbent natural gas (ANG) systems. The Gas Connection in Broomfield, Colorado and AAAA Generator Services Inc in Hayward, California have both been operating CNG vehicles for years and want to convert their vehicles to low pressure ANG tanks. AAAA Generator had one of their vehicles converted to ANG in December of 2015 and that vehicle has been the most used in their fleet.

Cenergy Solutions will be installing their ANG systems in The Gas Connection’s vehicles at their Arkansas Alternative Fuel Development and Training Center in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The AAAA Generator fleet will be converted to ANG vehicles by one of Cenergy Solutions’ certified partners in California.

Both fleets will use Cenergy Solutions’ low pressure compressors to fill their ANG tanks at their business location. The fleets will also have the option to fill at high pressure fueling stations with Cenergy’s proprietary ANG system, which accommodates both low and high pressure fills.

Hexagon Composites VP Hexagon Composites Receives CSA Group Award of Merit

June 20, 2017

Dr. Norman Newhouse, Vice President, Technology, Hexagon Composites was presented the CSA Group Award of Merit on June 20, 2017, in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of the CSA Group 2017 Annual Conference and Committee Week. The CSA Group Award of Merit is bestowed upon individual members for outstanding contributions and leadership in the development and advancement of voluntary standards.

“CSA Group recognizes the input and insight that our committee members provide on committees and subcommittees,” said Julie Cairns, Senior Project Manager, Alternative Energy, CSA Group. “Through his leadership and many years of participation in the standards development process, Norm has contributed to the deployment of safe and reliable components, equipment, and practices for the industry.”

Norm has been involved in standards development for more than 25 years. He was the first chair of CSA Group’s pressure relief device standard, and now serves on a number of technical committees and subcommittees.

His leadership and understanding of the role of standards development has directly impacted the regulatory environment, improved the safety of products, and supported the expansion of the natural gas vehicle industry. In advocating for performance-based requirements, he has helped nurture innovation that has led to cleaner air through the use of natural gas powered vehicles.

“A calming third party voice during committee meetings, Dr. Newhouse always demonstrates a willingness to listen to all sides of a discussion. He has also served as mentor to many, willingly sharing his extensive knowledge,” said  Dan Bowerson, NGVAmerica Director of Technology & Development. “It has been a pleasure to serve on several standard committees with Norm.  He has always been willing to share his experience and explain the background into the creation of NGV standards, countless numbers of individuals have benefited from Norm’s knowledge and generosity.”

Nashville Airport Receives 2017 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award

June 16, 2017

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport (MNAA) was named one of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) 2017 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award winners in the Pursuit of Excellence category for its ongoing commitment to sustainability. The award was presented at a recent luncheon with Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau.

MNAA was recognized in part for its natural gas fleet program that has converted the entire shuttle fleet to be powered by CNG. MNAA also recently opened a new CNG fueling station at Nashville International Airport (BNA) to support the fleet.

“This recognition from TDEC underscores our organization-wide commitment to sustainability and the benefits that flow from that approach.” said Rob Wigington, MNAA president and CEO. “We are proud of everyone throughout the MNAA team who creates and implements our array of sustainability initiatives and appreciate the value not just to our airports, but across the region and the environment in which we live.”

In 2017, MNAA introduced a new fleet of 28 environmentally friendly parking shuttle buses at BNA. The new buses, which transport travelers between the parking lots at BNA and the terminal, are fueled by clean-burning compressed natural gas. The conversion from diesel fuel to cleaner burning CNG across the airport’s shuttle bus fleet is anticipated to reduce the bus fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 14 percent. MNAA is currently in the process of transitioning other company vehicles to CNG-fueled as well.

Ryder Named to Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers List for 2017

June 22, 2017

Ryder System announced that for the sixth consecutive year it has been named one of the “Top Green Providers” by Food Logistics. Food Logistics’ annual “Top Green Providers” list recognizes companies whose products, services, or exemplary environmental stewardship is promoting sustainability within the food and beverage industry.

Ryder is a leader in natural gas vehicles solutions for the commercial transportation industry, with more than 150 million miles of experience and displacing approximately 23.1 million gallons of diesel fuel with lower emission domestically produced natural gas. The company has 21 NGV maintenance facilities and more than 6,200 NGV-trained maintenance technicians and support personnel. Ryder also operates Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) fuel stations at its Fontana and Orange, California, service locations where the company has partnered with Clean Energy Fuels to offer renewable natural gas.

“The future viability of the world’s food supply chain is dependent upon our ability to integrate sustainability from farm to fork,” says Lara L. Sowinski, Editorial Director for Food Logistics. “Transportation and logistics comprise a significant part of that supply chain, and we commend those companies in our industry that embrace their role as environmental stewards, while raising the sustainability bar for their peers.”

Brittany Ferries Orders New LNG-Powered Cruise Ferry

June 21, 2017

Brittany Ferries announced the construction of a new cruise ferry to join its 10-ship fleet. The new craft will be named Honfleur, following a long tradition naming ships after beautiful destinations served by the company.

The new craft will be named Honfleur and promises to be one of the most environmentally friendly ship regularly operating in UK waters when she takes to the seas in June 2019. Honfleur will be built at the Flensburger Schiffbau shipyard in Germany over the next two years and will be powered by LNG.

To address the issues of LNG infrastructure, specifically the lack of storage facilities in ports served by ships, Brittany Ferries has partnered with Total for a fuel delivery solution in France.

She will carry up to 1,680 passengers and will come with 257 cabins, two cinemas, restaurants, boutique shopping and expansive passenger lounges. Honfleur will operate alongside Brittany Ferries’ Mont St Michel on three daily return sailings. Normandie, the cruise-ferry she replaces, will move east to serve the Portsmouth to Le Havre route.

More than four in five people travelling on Brittany Ferries’ ships are British and up to 2.7 million passengers are carried each year, across routes covering southern UK, western France, Spain and Ireland. Portsmouth-Caen is the most popular crossing carrying around 1 million passengers, 300,000 cars and 100,000 freight units on the western channel annually.