NGVAmerica News Week in Review: May 31, 2016

 

• State Legislative Update: A Big Week for NGV Advocates
• CNG from Sea to Shining Sea Road Rally Hits the Road in Long Beach
• NGVAmerica and RNG Coalition Educate Congress During Capitol Days
• Peterbilt Offers New CNG Powered Refuse Truck
• FPT Industrial Unveils Cursor 9 Liter CNG Engine at Beijing Bus and Truck Show
• First CNG Station to Open in Fort Pierce, Florida
• City of Tucson Dedicates New CNG Facility
• Transit Authority to Build CNG Station at New Maintenance Facility in Kentucky
• ANGP Offers Certified Adsorbed Natural Gas System for Light Duty Vehicles
• Canada’s Natural Gas May See Boost in Renewable Natural Gas Content

 

State Legislative Update: A Big Week for NGV Advocates

May 31, 2016

Last week brought a number of important victories for NGV advocates. In Ohio, the state’s legislature sent a bill (HB 390) to Governor Kasich that includes $5 million in new grant funding for heavy duty CNG, LNG and LPG vehicles.  Funding is targeted at vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pound or greater and limited to vehicles that accumulate at least fifty percent of their miles in Ohio. Funding is to be available in fiscal year 2017 and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. Leaders in the efforts for HB 390 in Ohio include the staff at Clean Fuels Ohio and NGVAmerica’s Ohio State Lead, Graham Bailey of Vectren, who worked closely with Ray Drake of UPS, Brett Barry of Clean Energy, Matt White of IGS, and Steve Kraus of Worthington.

Minnesota and South Carolina have joined the growing list of states—seven so far this year—that have now enacted legislation that provides a weight allowance of up to 2,000 pounds for natural gas trucks. Minnesota’s measure (HB 3588) was signed by Governor Mark Dayton on May 23. The Minnesota Trucking Association led the effort on the weight bill and was assisted by Kimberly Bonhart of UPS. South Carolina’s measure (HB 4932) was signed by Governor Nikki Haley on May 25. Efforts in South Carolina were led by Brett Barry of Clean Energy, Henry McCullough of Piedmont, Randall Essick of Waste Management, and Frank Morris of UPS.

Minnesota’s legislature also has sent a bill (HB 848) to Governor Dayton. The bill adjusts the tax on CNG so that it is based on the correct energy conversion factors and results in a slightly reduced tax rate. Leading the effort on HB 848 was Jon Williams of CenterPoint, who was aided by other NGVAmerica members Ryan Kenny with Clean Energy, Ray Drake and Kimberly Bonhart with UPS, and Susan Turbes and Jennifer Stokes of CenterPoint.

Also this past week, there was an important development in Oklahoma, where the state legislature has been working to address a significant budget shortfall.  Among the measures contemplated was Senate Bill 1612, a measure that would have scaled back tax credits for natural gas vehicles and fueling infrastructure and capped the total amount of credits awarded each year to $6 million starting in 2017.  The budget measure that was ultimately adopted this past week addresses the shortfall but leaves in place the tax incentives for natural gas vehicles and refueling infrastructure.  A significant effort was put forward by NGV advocates to retain the incentives to continue the progress that is being made in Oklahoma.  NGVAmerica members, including One Gas, were instrumental in leading the effort to convince policy makers not to roll back the incentives for NGVs. Some of the many advocates who led this effort include NGVAmerica State Lead Craig Perry with ONE Gas, Norman Herrera with Sparq NG, Scott Minton with OnCue, Ryan Kenny with Clean Energy, Tom Kirby with Love’s, Jennifer Nelson with Seaboard, and Danny Smith with UPS.

For more information, contact NGVAmerica Chair, State Government Advocacy Committee Sherrie Merrow at smerrow@www.ngvamerica.org or 303.883.5121, or NGVAmerica General Counsel & Director, Regulatory Affairs Jeff Clarke at jclarke@www.ngvamerica.org or 202.824.2658.

 

CNG from Sea to Shining Sea Road Rally Hits the Road in Long Beach

May 30, 2016

The “CNG from Sea to Shining Sea Road Rally,” a cross-country road rally run entirely on natural gas, set off in Long Beach, California, with a kick-off ceremony at the Long Beach Gas and Oil fueling station. The purpose of the 3,144-mi. rally is to inform and educate the American public to the benefits of natural gas vehicles and to demonstrate the opportunities of today’s nationwide natural gas fueling network.

“Long Beach fully supports the increased use of alternative fuels, and we’re excited to promote the viability of natural gas vehicles and infrastructure by sponsoring this rally,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We know from experience that increased use of natural gas over other fossil fuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality.”

NGVAmerica, the American Gas Association (AGA), and the American Public Gas Association (APGA) are the presenting sponsors of the road rally, which will conclude June 10, 2016 in Washington, DC.

Organized by Pat Riley, General Manager, Gibson County Tennessee Utility District, the rally will feature 13 scheduled media stops in Long Beach, CA; Mesa, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Oklahoma City, OK; Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; Trenton, TN; Dickson, TN; Sevierville, TN; Rock Hill, SC; Greenville, NC; Richmond, VA; and Washington, DC.

 

NGVAmerica and RNG Coalition Educate Congress During Capitol Days

May 31, 2016

Representatives of NGVAmerica met in Washington, DC earlier this week for our annual Capitol Days. Educating and meeting with House and Senate staff on the benefits of NGVs and renewable natural gas (RNG) is a very important part of NGVAmerica’s Congressional outreach activities. This year, the visits were undertaken in collaboration with members of the RNG Coalition.

NGVAmerica members met with over 35 House and Senate offices.  For lunch hour, numerous Senate staff were briefed on the latest developments on and needs for NGVs and RNG.  We want to thank all our members and the members and staff of the RNG coalition for their participation this past week in advocating for NGVs and RNG in federal policy and regulations.

 

Peterbilt Offers New CNG Powered Refuse Truck

May 26, 2016

Peterbilt has expanded its refuse truck lineup with the new Model 520 that is available with both 8.9L and 11.9L natural gas engine options. The new Model 520 features new seating configurations for route collection versatility and enhanced styling.

The dual-station cab has two nearly identical work environments so drivers can seamlessly and operate from the left- or right-hand side, including dual controls for the parking brakes, HVAC system and stereo. The console sides are angled to give operators easy visibility and access to the same controls and displays from the right and left. The cab also features an enhanced HVAC system for improved airflow and climate control.

“Peterbilt continues to improve the popular ProBilt interior that is ideally suited for vocational applications,” said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt Chief Engineer. “The Model 520 features Peterbilt’s latest ProBilt design, providing an operating environment that optimizes comfort, ergonomics and productivity.”

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FPT Industrial Unveils Cursor 9L CNG Engine at Beijing Bus and Truck Show

May 24, 2016

FPT Industrial introduced the new Cursor 9 CNG natural gas engine at the Beijing Bus and Truck Show held May 23 to 26, 2016. Designed for the heavy haul, garbage collection, and city bus applications, the 6-cylinder stoichiometric combustion engine is based on the Cursor 9 diesel architecture and delivers comparable power and torque.

Unveiled under the slogan “Naturally Powerful,” the Cursor 9 CNG offers power up to 400 horsepower at 2,000 rpm and torque up to 1,700 Nm at 1,200 rpm. This is achieved while also having emissions lower than the Euro VI emissions standard. To comply with Euro VI standards, the Cursor 9 CNG does not need Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and instead relies on a simple three-way catalyst.

The Cursor 9 CNG, which replaces FPT’s 7.8L Cursor 8 CNG, boosts increased displacement, adds new multipoint fuel injectors, and a new fuel rail to allow for a higher flow rate. This, together with the modified cylinder head, characterized by intake ports with an optimized swirl angle, improves fuel consumption.

FPT Industrial has over 25 years of experience and has sold more than 29,000 CNG engines.

 

First CNG Station to Open in Fort Pierce, Florida

May 27, 2016

American CNG Energy plans to build its newest Opis Energy CNG station in Fort Pierce, Florida. The station will be located at the Port Consolidated truck refueling station in Fort Pierce off I-95 and Highway 68, a major pit stop and for truck fleets traveling through Florida. Construction on the station will begin June 2016.

The new Opis location will be the only public CNG station in the area. The next closest public CNG refueling station is another Opis station 90 miles south in Pompano Beach. Located off I-95, the Opis stations will help connect truck fleets from Jacksonville to Miami and American CNG Energy believes even more CNG stations will pop up throughout Florida.

“The market for CNG is continuing to grow as more and more truck fleets are converting to cleaner alternative fuels,” said Julio G. Macedo, CEO of American CNG Energy. “We plan to further this movement by expanding our CNG business drastically within the next five years, with plans to build over 20 more stations throughout Florida, Georgia, Texas and California.”

American CNG’s Operating Partner, Jeff Greene of Wise Gas, has been actively building CNG stations across Florida and Georgia. The Fort Pierce station will become the 11^th station Greene has built. Both Greene and Macedo see their partnership as a long term joint effort to expand the CNG refueling station network in multiple states. American CNG Energy is the Capital Partner and Holding Company for Opis Energy. American CNG will be teaming up with Opis Energy and Wise Gas to build the next 20 future stations.

 

City of Tucson Dedicates New CNG Facility

May 26, 2016

The City of Tucson General Services Department recently celebrated the completion and opening of a new CNG fueling facilities at the Thomas O. Price Service Center in Tucson, Arizona. The CNG plant and fueling facilities will serve the Environmental Services Department, the City’s Fleet Services, and Sun Tran, which plan to further expand their natural gas vehicle fleets.

The new fueling stations should result in savings for the City and Sun Tran as they work toward converting fleets to renewable, environmentally friendly fuels. The station features both time-fill and fast-fill dispensers to accommodate a variety of vehicles and fueling needs.

 

Transit Authority to Build CNG Station at New Maintenance Facility in Kentucky

May 29, 2016

On Wednesday, Lextran will hold the ribbon cutting and grand opening for their new headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, which will feature new maintenance facilities and a natural gas fueling station.

The new facilities will improve reliability of the bus fleet operations with seven fully-equipped maintenance bays, and in June, construction will begin on a CNG fueling component to accommodate Lextran’s seven CNG vehicles that began revenue service earlier this month. A temporary fueling solution is being used until construction is completed.

“Lextran’s new headquarters allows us to better serve our ridership, contributes to the neighborhood, and invests in the future of transit for Lexington,” said Jeff Fugate, chairman of the Lextran Board of Directors.

The new CNG vehicles were purchased using a federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant.

 

ANGP Offers Certified Adsorbed Natural Gas System for Light Duty Vehicles

May 28, 2016

Adsorbed Natural Gas Products (ANGP) recently announced that it has successfully installed the industry’s first ANSI NGV2 certified adsorbed natural gas (ANG) active storage system. The system, which ANGP calls its first generation (GEN 1) ANG System, is comprised of six activated carbon monolith-filled seamless aluminum cylinders, fully ANSI NGV2 certified for an operating pressure of 900 psig, and ANGP’s low-pressure fuel management system. The first system was successfully installed on ANGP’s 2014 Ford F-150 pick-up truck equipped with Ford’s CNG/LPG-ready 3.7L bi-fuel engine.

“Today we have met the challenge of producing a fully ANSI NGV2-certified low-pressure ANG storage system for motor vehicles,” said Bob Bonelli, co-founder and CEO of ANGP. “Our GEN 1 system proves that low-pressure storage for natural gas vehicles is not only a possibility, but a commercial reality complying with the most demanding certification standards in the industry.”

The ANGP GEN 1 ANG system features several industry firsts, including ANSI NGV2 certification, which was conducted by tank manufacturer Worthington Industries; monolith-filled cylinders, containing Ingevity Corporation’s Nuchar Fuelsorb activated carbon monoliths, developed and produced for ANGP; and ANGP’s patent pending fuel extraction and pressurization system (FEPS), which engages as tank pressure drops below 125 psig to ensure consistent fuel as the tank approaches empty. The FEPS is equipped with miniature compressor technology from Aspen Compressor.

This first production system is configured on the floor of the cargo box of the F-150. This system configuration allows for the full length and width of the cargo box to be used by installing a floor above the cylinders. Alternative configurations can be achieved by working with up-fitting companies and OEMs, include horizontal stacking in the front of the cargo box or “sunk” into a well below the cargo box of the truck to allow maximum depth while leaving the length and width of the cargo box available for use.

 

Canada’s Natural Gas May See Boost in Renewable Natural Gas Content

May 25, 2016

The natural gas delivered to Canadian homes, transportation markets, businesses, and industry will soon include more renewable energy thanks to a new national renewable natural gas (RNG) target announced by the Canadian Gas Association.

Canada’s natural gas utilities have set a target of 5 percent RNG-blended natural gas in the pipeline distribution system by 2025 and 10 percent by 2030.  Nationally, the increased RNG content would result in 14 megatons (MT) of greenhouse gas emission reductions per year by 2030. The increased use of RNG will significantly build on the environmental benefits of using natural gas as a transportation fuel.

“Canada’s natural gas delivery industry recognizes that increasing RNG content in the natural gas delivered to Canadian customers is a pathway towards meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association.

In 2013, Canadian natural gas utilities leveraged the expertise of Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY who developed with industry the RNG Technology Roadmap for Canada.  The Roadmap has been an instrumental tool in assisting industry to better understand the market and technology needs required for Canada to realize its RNG potential.

In British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, natural gas distribution utilities are currently blending RNG into their gas pipeline systems.  By the end of 2017, 11 RNG projects in Canada will be online to supply the equivalent of more than 36 million gallons of renewable fuel for transportation markets.