Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has contracted with AT&T to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations to support AT&T in its current commitment to deploy up to 8,000 CNG fleet vehicles nationwide. As part of a multi-year master agreement, Clean Energy will build, operate and supply CNG stations for AT&T’s use. In July last year AT&T signalled its intention to work with domestic natural gas service providers to build up to 40 refuelling stations.
AT&T announced plans in March 2009 to invest up to $565 million as part of a long-term strategy to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018. The company expects to spend an estimated $350 million of that amount over five years to purchase about 8,000 CNG vehicles.
Jerome Webber, AT&T Vice President, Fleet Operations, said, “Clean-burning, natural gas fuel not only makes good sense for the environment; it makes good business sense as well. CNG provides a strong economic advantage compared to gasoline and diesel powered-vehicles. And because CNG is domestically sourced, it helps reduce America’s dependence on imported oil.”
CNG vehicle fleet operators realize significant savings in their fuel expenditures, since natural gas is typically cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel. In terms of clean-air performance, natural gas produces up to 30 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline in light-and medium-duty vehicles. U.S. Department of Energy reports estimate that 98% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. is sourced in North America, and domestic supplies are projected to last 120 years based on current consumption levels.
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