U.S. natural gas supplier Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is planning to double the compressed natural gas (CNG) station capacity at Saddle Creek Transportation’s natural gas station in Lakeland, Fla., where 25 more heavy-duty natural gas trucks will fuel. Additional fueling agreements have resulted in the construction of new natural gas stations to support Clean Energy’s growing portfolio of natural gas fuel customers in the heavy-duty trucking, ready-mix and transit market segments.
Trucking
Saddle Creek Logistics Services Expands CNG Station Capacity for Growing Heavy-duty Natural Gas Truck Fleet
Clean Energy will double Saddle Creek’s existing CNG station capacity in Lakeland, Fla., with two additional 300-Horsepower compressors and 55 additional new time-fill fueling points. Saddle Creek plans to add 25 heavy-duty CNG Freightliner 12-Liter Cascadia tractors to its existing fleet of 150 to meet increased customer demand for CNG-fueled logistics. The additional vehicles are forecasted to consume approximately 400,000 DGEs (diesel gallon equivalent) of CNG annually and are scheduled to be deployed in October 2014 once the station capacity has been increased.
Clean Energy will continue to operate and maintain the station, which it initially built for Saddle Creek in 2011.
“Our natural gas trucks—now on their fifth-generation—are an integral part of our logistics offering. Our fleet currently has over 24 million miles using Natural Gas. Our customers recognize the importance of sustainability in their supply chain and the value in moving goods with natural gas. We are expanding our fueling capacity to meet this rising demand.” Michael DelBovo, president, Saddle Creek Transportation
Two America’s Natural Gas Highway Stations Open
Under previously-announced fueling agreements, Raven Transport has begun fueling at the Walton, Ky., station, and NFI hauling for Lowe’s has begun fueling at the Sulphur Springs, Texas, station.
Ready-mix
Schwarz Ready Mix Contracts with Clean Energy to Build Private CNG Fueling Station
A fleet of 16 heavy-duty day cab tractors are scheduled to replace old diesel trucks and begin fueling once the station is completed, which is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2014. 14 CNG ready-mix concrete trucks are expected to be added shortly thereafter as Schwarz continues to replace its old diesel fleet with natural gas trucks. The station will use a General Electric CNG in a Box system, 20 time-fill fueling points and one fast-fueling point.
Once fully-deployed, the fleet is forecasted to consume approximately 828,000 DGEs of CNG annually, roughly the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road.
Transit
Paratransit Inc., of Sacramento, Calif., to Convert Fleet to CNG; Signs Fueling and Station Construction Deal
The second-largest paratransit provider in California has signed a station design, construction, operation and maintenance agreement with Clean Energy. Approximately 60 Ford E-350 and E-450 paratransit CNG buses are anticipated to begin fueling once the station is operational in the second quarter of 2015. Paratransit intends to transition its entire fleet of 180 vehicles to natural gas.
The new station will be located at 7141 Woodbine Ave., in Sacramento; it will be open to the public and feature two fast-fueling dispensers with four fueling points.
Once fully-deployed, this fleet is forecasted to consume approximately 1,000,000 GGEs of CNG each year, the equivalent of taking approximately 480 cars off the road.
Kings County Area Public Transit Agency Signs Multi-year Repair and Maintenance Agreement
Clean Energy will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of Kings County’s private CNG fueling station.
Network
Third Public CNG Station Serving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Community Opens
Clean Energy built and will operate a public CNG station for Aviation CNG, L.L.C., located at 9131 Aviation Blvd., Inglewood, CA. The station features four fast-fueling dispensers with eight fueling points and will help meet the continued growth in CNG demand in Los Angeles. Collectively, the three stations serving LAX and the surrounding area are the highest volume CNG stations in Clean Energy’s nationwide network.
Natural gas fuel costs up to $1.50 less per gallon than gasoline or diesel, depending on local market conditions. The use of natural gas fuel not only reduces operating costs for vehicles, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% in light-duty vehicles and 23% in medium to heavy-duty vehicles. In addition, nearly all natural gas consumed in North America is produced domestically.
(Source: Clean Energy)
