by Jeff Twardy | Jul 27, 2016 | Articles
The Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities and National Fuel teamed up on July 21, 2016 to hold a compressed natural gas workshop at the “O” Ring/GAIN training facility in Brookville, PA. Scott Swartfager (National Fuel) welcomed everyone and set the stage for Why CNG? and Why Now? The informational workshop was to provide information about National Fuels and CNG as well as the DOE Clean Cities and Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC) Programs as well to acquire information about the PA Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant Program, PA-AFIG). Presenters included Rick Price, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities who talked about the benefits of alternative fuels, training and assistance PRCC and DOE has available, and some of the projects and programs PRCC has or is involved in. Geoff Bristow (PA-DEP) spoke about the PA DEP AFIG and the Alternative Clean Energy (ACE) Programs. He spoke about the changes this year in the AFIG program and how it could help folks interested in alternative fuels that in the past could possibly not qualifier or justify applying for a grant. He stated one of the main changes was the program was open all year long as has not been the case in the past. Geoff also stated that the ACE Program has awarded close to 50 awards for natural gas stations under this program. Barry Carr (Landi Renzo, USA and a Clean Cities Coordinator of Central New York) was a presenter about options available from OEMs and after market that Landi Renzo, USA serves as well as some of the platforms and models they support. Barry who’s area includes Western Pennsylvania...
by Jeff Twardy | Jul 27, 2016 | Articles
The Hilton Garden Inn being built along Pratt Drive in White Township will also feature electric vehicle charging stations when developers open the doors to their first guests later this year. Hospitality Asset Management Company recently installed electric vehicle connections at its hotel along College Avenue in State College. Managers there said they see it as a way for guests to customize their stay and make traveling easier. For Indiana this is yet another non-gasoline or diesel option with the anticipated public compressed natural gas connection at the IndiGO facility along Rose Street in White Township. Construction is expected to start next year. At the Hilton Garden Inn, the electric hookups will be for guests only. A company spokeswoman said Wednesday the hotel is expected to be completed in September. There will be one Tesla connector that only charges Tesla model vehicles and a GE Watt Station with a universal J1772 connector that can charge all electric vehicles. As with mobile phones and laptop computers, the actual “charger” is already built into the device — in this case a car. The hookups supply the power. Cars can be charged by a 120-volt cable through a home outlet. High-powered, or fast charging, stations are harder to come by. Currently the only fast charge option for Indiana County is at Sheetz along Route 22 in Blairsville. There are charging stations listed on the website plugshare.com (that also operates a popular mobile app) at Mark Arbuckle Nissan in Indiana Borough, the Hampton Inn in White Township and at three county campgrounds. The Electric Drive Transportation Association reported more than 5.4 million electric...
by Jeff Twardy | Jul 27, 2016 | Articles
June 28, 2016. U.S. Gain, the compressed natural gas (CNG) division of U.S. Venture, Inc. announced the opening of a new CNG station in partnership with Export Fuel Co., Inc. The GAIN® Clean Fuel – Export Fuel CNG station is located at 1564 Roseytown Rd. in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. “We’re happy to be able to partner with Export Fuel to increase the number of CNG stations serving Pennsylvania,” said Bill Renz, U.S. Gain general manager. “Everyone at Gain and Export Fuel recognizes the environmental benefits and cost savings of using compressed natural gas. It’s important to make this fuel source available to more operators across the U.S.” “In today’s competitive business climate, fleet truck operators are demanding that they be able to operate at peak efficiency,” said Kristen Zawoyski, operations manager at Export Fuel. “Many carriers are converting to CNG to get that competitive edge and we want to be part of that equation.” Similar to other GAIN® Clean Fuel stations, the GAIN – Export Fuel co-branded station in Greensburg will feature easy-access, fast-fill capabilities. It also accepts fleet cards for truck convenience, has proven reliability to ensure that fleets have a consistent fuel source and is open to the general...
by Jeff Twardy | Jul 27, 2016 | Articles
Detroit Public Schools students are riding to and from school in cleaner-operating buses fueled by propane autogas. The 35 alternative-fueled Blue Bird Vision Propane buses lower costs while improving the environment by reducing Detroit’s carbon footprint. This is the largest fleet of propane autogas school buses in the state of Michigan. “The use of propane autogas school buses is a step in the right direction to significantly decrease vehicle emissions and improve the air quality for our students. This also provides opportunities for students and the community to observe and learn first-hand about alternative transportation technologies,” said James Minnick, executive director of DPS Office of Student Transportation. “This environmentally friendly green initiative has also resulted in having a bus fleet that is 30 percent brand new.” ABC Student Transportation, Detroit Public Schools’ transportation provider, chose buses fueled by propane autogas because of the buses’ advanced technology, environmental benefits, and fuel and maintenance cost reductions, according to ABC Student Transportation president Charlie Grant. The bus fleet will emit 12,445 fewer pounds of nitrogen oxide and 111 less pounds of particulate matter each year compared with the diesel buses they are replacing. Propane autogas also reduces hydrocarbon emissions and virtually eliminates particulate matter, when compared with conventionally fueled school buses. Historically, propane autogas costs about 50 percent less than diesel per gallon and reduces maintenance costs due to its clean-operating properties. Currently, ABC pays 74 cents per gallon for propane autogas compared with around $3.00 per gallon for diesel. Propane autogas is the most commonly used alternative fuel in the nation and worldwide. Vehicles fueled by autogas comply with the same...
by Jeff Twardy | Jul 27, 2016 | Articles
Bimbo Bakeries USA and Nestlé Waters North America recently deployed new fleets of propane autogas delivery vehicles that will service multiple cities across the U.S. Nestlé Waters added more than 150 new Ford F-650 delivery vehicles to its existing propane autogas fleet. Bimbo Bakeries USA purchased 84 new, clean-burning Ford F-59 trucks. “This initiative is the latest in our company’s continued effort to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Gary Maresca, senior director of fleet services for Bimbo Bakeries. By operating propane autogas delivery trucks equipped with ROUSH CleanTech’s fuel system technology, both companies will cut carbon dioxide emissions in local communities by about 192,000 pounds per truck (compared to gasoline) per year. In addition to reducing the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases, Bimbo Bakeries and Nestlé Waters also anticipate fuel and maintenance savings. The new Ford F-59 and F-650 delivery vehicles will replace older diesel models. Propane autogas is a nontoxic, non-carcinogenic and non-corrosive fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies the fuel as a non-contaminant. It is the leading alternative fuel in the United States and the third most commonly used vehicle fuel, following gasoline and diesel. About 23 million vehicles travel worldwide with propane in their fuel...
by Jeff Twardy | Jul 27, 2016 | Articles
The Department of Environmental Protection is reminding Pennsylvania car buyers of rebates to assist with the cost of purchasing a new alternative fuel vehicle.“Rebates are available for battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and alternative fuels like natural gas and fuel cell vehicles,” said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “These vehicles are helping to reduce climate change causing emissions and are a part of a sustainable Pennsylvania.” These rebates are funded by the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program, which is supported by a gross receipts tax on utilities. To qualify, the vehicle must be registered in Pennsylvania, operated primarily in-state, and be purchased no more than six months before the rebate application is submitted. Rebates are available for new cars only. Large-battery vehicles are eligible for a rebate of $2,000 (examples include models such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, Chevy Volt, and similar models from BMW, Volkswagen and Tesla). DEP is also offering rebates of $1,000 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles (examples include the Hyundai Sonata, Ford C-Max Energi, BMW x5, Volvo XC). Rebates of $1,000 are also being offered for natural gas, propane, hydrogen or fuel-cell vehicles, such as the CNG powered Honda Civic or any new CNG powered car or pickup truck. CNG original equipment, manufacturer retrofits, or certified conversions to CNG or propane are also eligible for the $1,000 rebate. A $500 rebate is available for electric motorcycles and scooters. There are only a limited number of rebates available at $2,000. The rebate program offered will be reassessed upon payment of the first 250 rebates at $2,000 or Dec. 31, 2016,...
