NGVAmerica News Week in Review: November 23, 2015

• Mayors Call for Less Pollution, Cleaner Trucks in Southern California
• API and ANGA to Combine Forces in 2016
• Republic Services Expands CNG-Powered Fleet in Phoenix
• S. Gain and C.A.T. Celebrate CNG Station Opening in North Carolina
• American Natural Gas Builds Public CNG Station in Upstate New York
• Deadline Nears for SoCalGas Customer Truck Rental Program
• UPS Receives Perfect Score from Carbon Disclosure Project
• ATA Welcomes Questar Fueling as New Featured Product
• Wärtsilä Propulsion Solution Chosen for New LNG Bunkering Vessel

 

Mayors Call for Less Pollution, Cleaner Trucks in Southern California

November 17, 2015,

The mayors of five cities near polluted freeway corridors in Southern California are calling for cleaner heavy duty trucks. South Gate Mayor Jorge Morales, Commerce Mayor Lilia Leon, Maywood Mayor Eddie De La Riva, Bell Mayor Ali Saleh, and Compton Mayor Aja Brown were joined by representatives from the California Energy Commission (CEC), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) to explain how new natural gas engine technology can clean the air near and around their cities.

They were also joined by representatives from Cummins Westport, the maker of the ISL G NZ 8.9L engine that has recently been certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as 90 percent cleaner than traditional engines—the first “near zero” transportation technology ready to roll in the heavy duty sector. The engine development funding came from the SCAQMD, CEC and SoCalGas.

Studies have shown that corridors such as the 710 freeway have some of the worst air quality in the nation, which is caused by the region’s smog forming (or NOx) emissions that come from the heavy duty transportation sector. Those most likely impacted are disadvantaged communities near or around major transportation corridors and ports. Studies also indicate that air pollution contributes to asthma, cancer and premature death, especially in children and the elderly.

“The City of Compton sits between multiple freeways and my constituents are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of poor air quality,” said Compton Mayor Aja Brown. “Today, we have an opportunity to deploy more clean trucks to greatly improve the quality of life for families and children in our cities.”

At the event, Waste Management also displayed one of its refuse trucks in its fleet of more than 4,500 natural gas trucks operating in North America with a Cummins Westport engine. The Waste Management trucks on the road today have nearly zero particulate emissions, cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 20 percent, and are far quieter than their diesel counterparts.

“The Energy Commission is pleased to be part of the public-private partnership that helped develop this new engine and looks forward to the expansion of this technology to other engine sizes and vehicle applications,” said Janea A. Scott, CEC Commissioner. “When combined with renewable natural gas, vehicles utilizing the advanced low NOx engine have the potential to come very close to being zero emission vehicles.”

 

API and ANGA to Combine Forces in 2016

November 18, 2015

Following approval of both boards of directors, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) announced the two organizations will combine into a single trade association, effective January 1, 2016. The combined association will continue ANGA’s mission under API.

“ANGA was founded in 2009 at the beginning of the shale energy revolution, and its members were visionary regarding the benefits natural gas would bring to our energy supply and our economy. Combining these two associations continues that vision by recognizing how best to organize for maximum effect,” said Marty Durbin, who will hold the title of Executive Director of Market Development under the combined association.

Under the agreement, ANGA’s mission to promote natural gas as a clean, affordable solution to America’s energy and environmental needs will be handled by a new Market Development Group at API, a team led by current ANGA President Marty Durbin. ANGA members who are not already members of API will become full members.

“There is a natural synergy between our organizations,” said API CEO Jack Gerard. “As a single organization, the combined skills and capabilities bring an enhanced advocacy strength to natural gas market development—ANGA’s primary mission—and the combined association’s expanded membership will provide additional lift to API’s ongoing efforts on important public policy issues.”

API and ANGA have long collaborated to highlight environmental, job creation, energy security, and consumer benefits from abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas. API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry and has more than 625 members, including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms.

 

Republic Services Expands CNG-Powered Fleet in Phoenix

November 17, 2015

Republic Services announced the addition of four CNG solid waste collection trucks to its fleet serving customers throughout the greater Phoenix area. The CNG trucks replace older diesel-powered trucks and bring the total number of natural gas trucks operated by Republic Services throughout Arizona to 34.

Republic Services operates a natural gas fueling station at its Lower Buckeye location to support the expanding Phoenix-based fleet. Republic operates a total of 178 collection trucks within the Phoenix area and 280 collection trucks statewide.

“Natural gas-powered collection trucks run cleaner and quieter, providing our customers and the communities we serve with a top-notch level of customer service and minimal impact on the environment,” said Alberto Guardado, area president of Republic Services. “This CNG fleet expansion represents a significant investment in cleaner, safer and more efficient vehicles in our local Phoenix Metro area.”

Nationwide, Republic Services operates a fleet of more than 2,200 CNG vehicles and 38 natural gas fueling stations. Republic’s CNG fleet helps to save roughly 18 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. As the operator of the 8th largest vocational fleet in the country, Republic has a number of initiatives to reduce overall fuel usage, including its continued commitment to operating CNG powered trucks.

 

U.S. Gain and C.A.T. Celebrate CNG Station Opening in North Carolina

November 20, 2015

Representatives from Canadian American Transport (C.A.T.) and U.S. Gain, along with local and regional dignitaries, celebrated the grand opening of the newest GAIN Clean Fuel CNG station in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The GAIN station will provide the North American carrier with alternative fuel to support C.A.T.’s growing fleet of CNG trucks.

“We’ve made an investment in our future with the conversion of our fleet to CNG,” said C.A.T. President Daniel Goyette. “It’s been a very positive move by helping us become more environmentally friendly and creating fuel price stability.”

This is the third of five GAIN Clean Fuel Station locations to open in partnership with C.A.T. The first station opened in Mississauga, Ontario and the second in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada. The other two locations include Laredo, Texas, and Scranton, Pennsylvania. These stations are finishing up on construction and will be opening soon.

The Charlotte, North Carolina location will provide easy-access, fast-fill capabilities and will be open for use by other fleets and the general public. They will also accept fleet cards for trucker convenience.

 

American Natural Gas Builds Public CNG Station in Upstate New York

November 16, 2015

American Natural Gas (ANG) announced it will unveil the first public CNG fueling station north of Albany, New York, in January 2016. Currently under construction, the facility is located off of I-87 in Saratoga Springs, which is halfway between New York City and Montreal.

The W.J. Grande Industrial Park Station is the third New York State station announced by ANG in the past two months and the second public one. It will become an important point along ANG’s growing corridor of public CNG stations in the Northeast.

As ANG designed the station, it selected top-of-the line equipment with regional long haul, public transportation, and return-to-base fleets in mind. The station will have two cold weather-reliable 200 HP Cobey Energy compressors with two points of temperature compensation and a Xebec dryer. It will feature three fueling lanes and consumer-friendly Bennett CRIND dispensers that can accommodate Class 8 (WB-67) semi tractor-trailers.

The station is under construction on an ANG-owned parcel that the company will continue to own, operate, and maintain.

“New, innovative infrastructure like this provides alternatives in how drivers fuel their day—and makes it easier for us all to reduce our carbon footprint and play a larger role in our campaign to combat climate change,” said Congressman Paul D. Tonko.

 

Deadline Nears for SoCalGas Customer Truck Rental Program

November 19, 2015

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is accepting applications through the end of the year to a first-of-its-kind program to provide free short-term rentals of CNG trucks to qualified customers interested in exploring the benefits of natural gas. Applications are being accepted from Southern California-based customers with trucks that operate at least 60,000 miles annually, consuming at least 10,000 gallons of diesel per year.

“We’re hearing from many customers who are interested in taking advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas, but are hesitant to change to an unfamiliar technology,” said Rodger Schwecke, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas. “Our Truck Rental Program gives customers the opportunity to experience how the latest natural gas trucks provide tremendous benefits with similar performance to diesel trucks.”

The cost of fueling the trucks is also included in the program — participants will be given a payment card that will be accepted at most public CNG fueling stations, including the more than 125 stations located across Southern California. The rental of up to two weeks, pending availability, will be administered through Ryder, whose natural gas fleet has logged over 40 million miles since 2011. Four different models of trucks are available, depending on the applicants’ needs.

The program, part of SoCalGas’ ongoing effort to expand the adoption of natural gas and alternative fuels for heavy-duty trucking, is on a first come, first served basis. For more details and to learn how to apply, visit www.socalgas.com.

 

UPS Receives Perfect Score from Carbon Disclosure Project

November 17, 2015

UPS earned a top ranking on the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) S&P disclosure leadership index for the fifth consecutive year for its commitment to transparency, its corporate governance regarding climate change, and the manner in which it tracks and discloses its impact on the environment.

UPS received a perfect score of 100 from the CDP for the second straight year. The CDP, which annually surveys the carbon disclosure practices of companies on Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index in North America, has included UPS on its “Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index” (CDLI) of the Top 50 S&P 500 companies for the last six years.

“We are proud to be recognized for our efforts to address climate change,” said Rhonda Clark, chief sustainability officer at UPS and vice president of environmental affairs. “UPS will continue to seek out new ways to reduce our environmental impact, and help transform transportation and the communities we serve globally.”

One of UPS’s top sustainability goals is to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation relative to its shipping volume. Earlier this year UPS joined the White House’s American Business Act on Climate Pledge, committing to a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 2020. And, UPS has already achieved more than half of its goal to have its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet drive 1 billion miles by the end of 2017.

For more information on UPS’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.ups.com/sustainability.

 

ATA Welcomes Questar Fueling as New Featured Product

November 20, 2015

American Trucking Associations welcomed Questar Fueling, a national network of CNG fueling stations, as its latest Featured Product provider. Nationally recognized for its CNG fueling experience, Questar Fueling is strategically building CNG-fueling stations in key locations across the United States to keep top trucking fleets in the nation on the road with low-cost, clean-burning natural gas.

“The trucking industry, and subsequently the country’s economy, would come to a stop without fuel, which is why ATA is so excited to have Questar Fueling on board as a new Featured Product,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “The company serves many ATA Members each day and provides them with fueling options that keep costs down and operations running smoothly.”

Questar Fueling operates some of the country’s largest CNG-fueling stations, four of which are located in Texas. The company’s Houston station, used by Central Freight Lines and Swift Transportation, can serve up to 120 class-8 CNG-powered trucks utilizing time fill application. This station also features a five-lane, high-speed-fueling facility with public access.

Questar Fueling’s San Antonio station can serve up to 60 class-8 CNG powered trucks utilizing time fill application and has a six-lane, high-speed-fueling facility with public access. The company also owns CNG stations in Kansas, Utah, California and Arizona, with plans to add more in 2016.
Wärtsilä Propulsion Solution Chosen for New LNG Bunkering Vessel
November 9, 2015

A new LNG bunker and feeder vessel, being built for Sirius Veder Gas AB in the Netherlands, will be powered by a Wärtsilä propulsion solution. The Wärtsilä propulsion package will include a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel main engine capable of running on either LNG or diesel and an Airguard aft seal that allows for zero emissions.

The latest Wärtsilä 34DF engine version features high power output and reduced fuel consumption in both gas and diesel modes. In gas mode, the vessel will comply with the IMO’s Tier III NOx emission regulations without need of secondary exhaust cleaning systems.

“Since Wärtsilä introduced dual-fuel engine technology, more than 1300 Wärtsilä DF engines have been ordered,” said Göran Österdahl, General Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions. “Similarly, bunkering & feeder vessels such as this one are also increasingly taking advantage of our proven technology.”

When delivered, the ship will be operated on a long-term charter by Skangass. Sirius Veder Gas AB, the owners of the new vessel, is a joint venture formed between Sirius Rederi of Sweden and the Netherlands based Anthony Veder Group. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in 2016, and the vessel is due to be delivered in February 2017.