Prime Minister Medvedev (right) meets with vice-premiers to discuss natural gas fuel implementation.
50% conversion planned for cities with population over 1 million
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev on 13th May signed a decree prepared by the Ministry of Energy of Russia that will change the face of transportation in his country. The decree includes an order to “develop a set of legal, economic and organizational measures of the state to support the production, release into circulation and trafficking in motor vehicles and agricultural equipment to natural gas, creating traffic fueling and service infrastructure, statistical systems and technical regulation for natural gas as a motor fuel”. Read more »
The European Commission has this week adopted a “Maritime Strategy” Action Plan to revitalise the marine and maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean Area, intended to create sustainable growth in coastal regions for the EU’s Atlantic Member States while preserving environmental and ecological stability. Amongst the ideas to be considered for EU financing in the new programming period 2014-2020 is facilitating the upgrade of infrastructure, such as equipping ports with liquefied natural gas (LNG) refuelling capacity. 
The Chinese natural gas vehicle market has stepped up a gear according to a Kunlun Energy press release about last week’s 14th China International Natural Gas Vehicles, Filling stations and Equipment Exhibition and Forum in Beijing, with more NGVs, more filling stations and greater momentum. According to reported statistics, 446 new filling stations commenced operation in the past year, with the total reaching 2,784, an increase of 19% over the previous year. Liquefied Natural gas (LNG) stations accounted for 22.8% of that total. 
The U.S. State of Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean, alternative and renewable energy sources with the investment of more than $1.8 million in 5 projects. The grants will assist in the construction of four CNG filling stations and one LNG station which have the benefits of reducing emissions, fuel savings and utilizing the large domestic source of natural gas available in Pennsylvania. 
The Port of Rotterdam has reiterated its belief in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a transport fuel at a briefing in Brussels. Ankie Janssen, LNG Business Development, Port of Rotterdam, spoke at the Technology for a Smart Future: Innovation and R&D to Make a Clean Future Real at Gas Week 2013, reports 
Dongguan City bus company, in Guangdong province on the South China Sea coast, received 210 liquified natural gas (LNG) buses in March, all of which are now operating to enhance the city’s public transportation and the environment. 100 units of King Long XMQ6106G buses and 110 units of XMQ6931G delivered so far are components of a total order for 262 King Long LNG buses. 
The California Energy Commission has approved funding for a number of projects that will support increased numbers of cleaner, alternative fuel vehicles on California roadways, thereby helping the state meet its climate change goals. The awards were made through the Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology (ARFVT) Program, created by Assembly Bill 118. 2013-2014 funding priorities have also been set, with both programs including support for natural gas vehicle projects. 
The Interlake Steamship Company, a leader in the Great Lakes shipping industry delivering raw materials to ports throughout the region, has reached an agreement in principle with Shell to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to support Interlake’s conversion of its vessels to LNG as the main propulsion fuel. When converted, these ships are expected to be the first LNG-powered ships on the Great Lakes and among the first in the U.S. With a goal of converting the first vessel by the spring of 2015, Interlake is already working through engineering and design, seeking regulatory approval and securing financing. Shell would be Interlake’s exclusive supplier of LNG for each converted vessel. 
Westport Innovations Inc., developer and manufacturer of natural gas engines has delivered its 1Q Fiscal report with a clear message from David Demers, CEO of Westport. “We are expecting a step change in growth over the course of this year and remain confident the market for natural gas as a fuel in trucking is here and now – not five or ten years down the road.” The company maintains its revenue outlook for up to 30% year over year growth. 
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