IGS Energy CNG Services, a solutions provider to the Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) industry, currently focusing on Ohio and West Virginia, is to construct and operate a USD 10 million Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fueling Corridor within West Virginia. Phase One of the project will include stations in Bridgeport, Charleston and Jane Lew. The company also plans construction of a station in Mt. Morris, Pa., as part of the initial phase.
The Corridor – a first of its kind initiative in the state since the discovery of the Marcellus Shale – will service the growing number of West Virginia businesses and citizens who are converting to natural gas vehicles (NGVs) as a way to save money and use a clean fuel.
“Our plans for a Fueling Corridor respond to the emerging market demand for fast, convenient refueling of CNG vehicles,” said Scott White, president of IGS Energy CNG Services. “Natural gas offers a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline or diesel. Because natural gas is both abundant and produced domestically, vehicles fueled by natural gas are becoming an increasingly popular transportation option. Our stations will offer convenient locations and enable drivers to refuel in about the same time it would take at a conventional gasoline station.”
CNG is a cleaner burning alternative fuel to gasoline, emitting up to 30 percent less carbon dioxide, up to 75 percent less carbon monoxide and up to 95 percent less particulate matter than gasoline or diesel. The fuel also costs substantially less than the price of gasoline and is produced domestically, in states including West Virginia. There is currently more than 100 years of natural gas supply in the United States alone.
“This is a great day for West Virginia — it’s one my Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force has been looking forward to since their very first meeting back in July 2011. Today, West Virginia is one step closer to lessening our reliance on foreign fuel sources.” said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. “These soon-to-be new filling stations along I-79 are the beginning of the infrastructure necessary to support our state’s conversion to natural gas fueled vehicles. West Virginia has been blessed with an abundance of natural gas, and I’m extremely appreciative of the many dedicated folks who are working hard to find the best way for our state to use it as a cost-saving means of transportation.”
Construction of the Corridor is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013 and, depending on the station, will support light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles. Several companies have committed to fuel their natural gas vehicles on the corridor, including Antero Resources, Chesapeake Energy Corporation and EQT Corporation.
Antero Resources chairman and CEO, Paul M. Rady, said “We are committed to converting our own vehicle fleet to run on CNG, and we are excited for the opportunity to be a market leader in this initiative along with our partners.”
Scott Rotruck, Chesapeake Vice President of Corporate Development & Government Relations, said “Chesapeake is working to convert our West Virginia fleet to run on natural gas, a goal that wouldn’t be possible without fueling infrastructure support. With fuel savings of up to 50 percent, converting to CNG is a smart business decision that supports our local economy while reducing our dependency on foreign oil.”
“The addition of these stations extends the availability of CNG along the Route 79 corridor from Pennsylvania into West Virginia, which supports EQT’s transition of more than 200 of our Marcellus fleet vehicles to natural gas in 2013 and beyond,” said David Ross, VP Demand Development, EQT Corporation. “The interest in NGVs is growing quickly and to accommodate this growth, it is evident that infrastructure creation and expansion is required. Sitting on top of the Marcellus Shale allows this region of the country to be at the forefront of this CNG expansion.”
IGS Energy CNG Services chose to concentrate its efforts on West Virginia because of Governor Tomblin and the legislature’s decision to implement economic policies encouraging the development of the CNG industry in the state.
“We recognize the commitment that the State of West Virginia, through the leadership of Governor Tomblin, has made to encourage the use of this local, clean resource,” White said. “The company believes the State of West Virginia will serve as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that CNG will not only save taxpayers money, but also encourage further development of natural gas fueling options.”
In addition to private fleets, the West Virginia Department of Highways has committed to fuel state CNG-powered vehicles at Corridor stations.
(This article compiled using information from a IGS Energy press release)
