NGVAmerica News Week in Review: May 26, 2015

• Senate Committee Approves 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
• Third LNG Tax Equity Bill Introduced in the House
• Popular Peer Exchange Repackaged for Denver Conference
• Transit Authority Adds 90 New CNG Buses in Cleveland
• Ryder Expands NGV Solution Services to Arkansas
• Indian River Transport Adds Five CNG Freightliners to Fleet
• CA Energy Commission Funds Alt Fuel for Armored Security Trucks
• Lion Bus and NGV Motori Developing Type C CNG School Bus
• McNeilus Makes Improvements to NGEN Natural Gas System
• Tennessee Utility Opens State-of-the-Art CNG Station
• TruStar Energy to Build CNG Station in Arizona
• Pilot Program to Provide CNG Food Carts Across New York City
• LNG America to Provide Scandrill LNG Fuel for Drilling Operations
• General Dynamics NASSCO Constructing New LNG-Ready Tanker

 

Senate Committee Approves 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

This past week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.  The report accompanying the bill (S. Rept. 114-54) includes two specific and important recommendations for the need for NGV RD&D activities at the U.S. DOE.  The U.S. DOE has not undertaken any NGV RD&D activities since 2009. The report also includes a $49 million request for alternative fuel vehicle deployment through the Clean Cities program.  The NGV RD&D language is now included in both the House and Senate reports accompanying the FY 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bills.

Specifically for NGVs the Committee Report “urges the Secretary to work with the natural gas vehicle industry to identify needs and develop solutions for additional engines and emissions control technologies in order to obtain the emission advantages when using natural gas in high efficiency engines.”  The Committee also “directs the Secretary to work with heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturers to develop an emissions profile for heavy-duty, dual-fueled natural gas and diesel automobiles to help determine what, if any, emissions control technologies need to be installed on such vehicles to meet environmental regulations. The Committee expects the Secretary to seek the most cost-competitive options as it evaluates the control technology options available to these equipment manufacturers.”

For Clean Cities, the Committee stated that it “recognizes local initiatives to deploy alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure are critical to wider adoption of these technologies to diversify our fuel supply and save consumers money. The Committee recommends $49,000,000 for deployment of vehicles through the Clean Cities Program.”

For more information or a copy of the report contact Paul Kerkhoven at 202.824.7363 or pkerkhoven@www.ngvamerica.org.

 

Third LNG Tax Equity Bill Introduced in the House

This past week, House Ways and Means Committee Members Mike Kelly (R-PA-03) and Ron Kind (D-WI-03) reintroduced their Powering American Jobs Act (H.R. 2517).  Rep. Kelly and Kind introduced similar legislation (HR 5775) in the last Congress.  The legislation corrects the LNG excise tax inequity and provides for the definition of a DGE that is preferred by the NGV industry.  The legislation also extends the alternative fuel tax credits for two years, and the alternative fuel infrastructure credits for one year.

The Powering American Jobs Act (H.R. 2517) now joins the Alternative Fuel Tax Parity Act (HR 1665), introduced by Rep. Todd Young (R-IN-09), Mac Thornberry (R-TX-13), John Larson (D-CT-01) and Kind, as well as the Energy Production Fairness Act (HR 898), introduced by Rep. Kelly and Kind, as legislation that aims to correct the LNG tax inequity.  No hearings have been scheduled for any of these proposals.

For more information, contact Paul Kerkhoven at 202.824.7363 or pkerkhoven@www.ngvamerica.org.

 

Popular Peer Exchange Repackaged for Denver Conference

NGVAmerica has announced that it will introduce a repackaged version of the popular Market Development Peer Exchange (“Peer Exchange”) at the upcoming 2015 North America NGV Conference & Exposition in Denver on Tuesday, September 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Peer Exchange has been renamed Inside Track: Meet the Vendors! and will provide all conference registrants with a venue to hear rapid fire mini-briefings from NGVAmerica members. The format will allow approximately 20 members about 5 minutes to introduce—with or without PowerPoint presentations—their technologies and services to audience participants. This venue is likened to “speed dating,” serving as a fast-paced compilation of NGV-specific topics of interest with the desired outcome to educate and generate additional opportunities of increased foot traffic to members’ exhibition space on the show floor.  

Inside Track: Meet the Vendors! is a first-come, first-served opportunity, and the limited time for this venue dictates that presenters must be exhibiting members. To reserve your time slot, contact Tom Sheehan immediately at 207.925.1136 or tsheehan@ngvamerica.com. A signed exhibition contract is required to receive a chance for this presentation opportunity.

 

Transit Authority Adds 90 New CNG Buses in Cleveland
May 19, 2015

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) unveiled its new CNG buses. RTA is adding 90 new CNG buses to its big-bus fleet this summer, with 25 more in 2016. They will replace clean diesel buses that have reached the end of their useful life. The CNG buses come at a premium of $46,000 each over diesel buses, and the economic payback is expected to be 23 months. “Natural gas costs 1/3 that of diesel, resulting in savings of more than $200,000 over the life of each bus,” said RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese.

RTA is also investing in the construction of two CNG stations and has partnered with Parker Hannifin, which is supplying the refueling dispensers.

 

Ryder Expands NGV Solution Services to Arkansas
May 21, 2015

Ryder announced that it has expanded its NGV offering into Arkansas for the first time with two customers: Alpha Packaging and Boyd Metals Transportation. The CNG vehicles for both Alpha Packaging and Boyd Metals Transportation will be maintained by Ryder at its Fort Smith, Arkansas, service facility, which is being modified to meet the compliance requirements for natural gas.

Ryder has begun to deploy NGVs into the fleets of Ryder customers in Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Texas, Utah, and Quebec, Canada. Alpha Packaging and Boyd Metals Transportation are both current Ryder full service lease customers.

Alpha Packaging has signed a full service lease agreement for seven CNG tractors. The CNG vehicles will replace current Ryder leased diesel powered vehicles to support Alpha Packaging’s sustainability initiatives. Alpha Packaging, the largest independently owned corrugated box manufacturing company in Arkansas, will use the CNG vehicles to support its deliveries to all areas within 300 miles of its manufacturing facility in Greenwood, Arkansas.

“Even with the recent drop in diesel fuel prices, the stability of natural gas fuel costs, along with the environmental benefits of natural gas vehicle technology, bring significant value to our fleet operation,” said Alpha Packaging President, Mike Stec.

To support the new CNG fleet, Alpha Packaging is building an on-site natural gas fuel station at its location. This on-site time-fill CNG fuel station will allow its drivers to fill the trucks overnight in order to gain full-range tank capacity and improve productivity during the day when they need to make deliveries.

Boyd Metals Transportation has also signed a full service lease agreement for seven CNG tractors. The CNG vehicles will replace current Ryder leased diesel powered vehicles in Boyd Metals Transportation’s delivery fleet. The new CNG delivery fleet will be used to deliver Boyd Metals’ extensive inventory of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and fiberglass products in a wide range of shapes and sizes from the company’s warehouse in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

 

Indian River Transport Adds Five CNG Freightliners to Fleet
May 20, 2015

Indian River Transport, a food grade tank carrier based in Winter Haven, Florida, has added five Freightliner Cascadia 113 CNG day cabs to its fleet. The new trucks are the first alternative fuel vehicles in the 600-tractor fleet. The new CNG trucks will be used for 10–12 runs per day, per truck, 24 hours a day.

“One of our customers wanted a smaller carbon footprint, lower fuel costs and reduced noise levels in the communities these trucks serve,” said Mark Gressett, safety director for Indian River Transport. “Freightliner’s natural gas solution aligned with our priorities.”

The new Cascadia 113 CNG day cab trucks are powered by the CWI ISX12 G natural gas engine and are well suited for regional hauling and vocational operations. They are available with CNG fuel tank configurations up to 190 DGE capacity with an anticipated range of about 800 miles.

 

CA Energy Commission Funds Alt Fuel for Armored Security Trucks
May 13, 2015

The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved alternative fuels and transportation grants that included North American Repower to demonstrate the efficiency and viability of six armored security trucks converted from diesel fuel to plug-in hybrid electric-renewable natural gas.

Security protocols typically require armored vehicles to leave their engines running during each scheduled stop, which burns fuel and emits pollutants. The demonstration vehicles, which have near-zero emissions, will operate in an all-electric mode during stop-and-go usage and in hybrid-mode using renewable natural gas during continuous vehicle operation. North American Repower received $3 million and will operate in Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The project is funded through the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP), and must demonstrate the viability of bringing advanced fuels technology to the marketplace.

 

Lion Bus and NGV Motori Developing Type C CNG School Bus

Lion Bus, a manufacturer of Type C school and MFSAB buses, and NGV Motori announced a strategic manufacturing alliance to bring the first OEM Type C school bus to the American marketplace. The bus is based on the International DT466 CNG engine. The first Lion NGV Motori bus was introduced at the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) conference in Dallas, Texas. Sales and distribution of the new platform will be overseen by First Priority Bus Sales, a First Priority Global company.

 

McNeilus Makes Improvements to NGEN Natural Gas System
May 18, 2015

McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, introduced enhancements to its NGEN CNG Systems and Services. This portfolio of upgrades improves performance and reliability through enhanced fill efficiency, plumbing optimization, and service and support.

The NGEN fuel delivery system now features optimized internal diameters that offer up to 30 percent improved fill times. Streamlining the design has reduced the number of plumbing components by 25 percent and the number of connections by 50 percent.

NGEN systems also offer continuous protection thermal Pressure Relief Devices (PRDs) on all configurations that span the length of the tank and system, increasing protection against localized thermal events. Typical PRD configurations contain more high pressure plumbing and have less thermal sensing surface.

For enhanced serviceability and reliability, o-ring face seal (ORFS) fittings have been integrated, where possible. ORFS fittings can be tightened to proper torque values, mitigating assembly/reassembly errors.  They also offer superior rebuild ability over industry standard compression or flare fittings.

NGEN CNG Systems and Services are available on new vehicles or customer supplied vehicles as up-fits through the company’s national network of installation centers.

McNeilus systems meet all NFPA-52 standards and are installed by the company’s factory-trained technicians. NGEN CNG Systems are backed by a two-year standard warranty. In addition, McNeilus carries a comprehensive inventory of replacement parts on hand at its regional installation centers.

For more information, go to www.ngencng.com.

 

Tennessee Utility Opens State-of-the-Art CNG Station
May 19, 2015

APGA member Gibson County Utility District (GCUD) held a grand opening ceremony for their new CNG station, which is the greenest station in Tennessee if not the entire country as a part of the Tennessee Gas Association’s Rally across Tennessee.

GCUD invested $1.7 million in their energy complex, which was designed to be the most environmentally-friendly CNG station in the country, without using any federal or state subsidies. The station features solar panels to power the station’s lights and accessories and also features manmade wetlands to capture storm runoff. The station’s goal is to be the sustainable model for CNG stations across the country.

Beyond its green features, the station features fast-fill dispensers with a total dispensing capacity of 240 GGE per hour at its peak and 105 GGEs per hour compression and 135 GGEs from storage. The station also includes a Kohler gas generator that creates power for onsite usage and serves as a source of supplemental power for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The event was well attended and included many local dignitaries including State Senator Ed Jackson (R-Jackson), Representative Jimmy Eldridge (R-Jackson), and Lynette DiMeola, Executive Director of the Tennessee Gas Association. All of the speakers lauded GCUD’s vision and execution of the greenest CNG station in Tennessee.

 

TruStar Energy to Build CNG Station in Arizona
May 18, 2015

TruStar Energy announced the award to refurbish the City of Tucson’s existing CNG fueling station. TruStar Energy, under contract from Arizona-based D.L. Withers Construction, will handle the construction of the station refurbishment, intended to give the existing 20-year-old station a complete facelift. This will modernize the current station’s 3,000 psi fueling system to the newer industry standard of 3,600 psi, as well as develop a 90-truck time-fill fueling area, allowing for more capacity and faster fueling.

“The existing plant is at the end of its useful life and city administrators felt it was time to upgrade, given our intention to continue our fleet migration to CNG,” said City of Tucson Senior Engineering Associate, Brian Conte. “We currently have 45 CNG transit buses fueling and have plans to expand our Refuse Collection fleet to 90 trucks—so the station upgrade is essential.”

The station’s existing fast-fueling dispensers, compressors and dryers will be replaced with new state-of-the art systems including Ariel compressors, ANGI-Gilbarco fast-fill dispensers and a PSB gas dryer. In addition, a time-fill parking area will be installed to allow for the fueling of the City’s expanding CNG-powered garbage trucks.

“We currently have automated side loaders that handle the residential routes, front loaders that cater to commercial customers, and rear loaders designed to pick up both commercial and residential trash,” said Conte, who added that CNG-powered trash trucks would replace older units when they retire from service.

The contract to refurbish Tucson’s station was awarded to D.L. Withers Construction, an Arizona-based General Contractor that builds commercial projects throughout Arizona. TruStar Energy was contracted through D.L. Withers to handle the CNG construction phase of the project.

The project is schedule to be completed the first quarter of 2016.

 

Pilot Program to Provide CNG Food Carts Across New York City

New York City Hall and MOVE Systems announced a new pilot to provide 500 advanced food carts to vendors throughout New York City neighborhoods that use compressed natural gas. ‎

The MRV100 vending vehicle included a restaurant-grade kitchen with refrigeration and a sustainable energy system that utilizes solar power, alternative fuel, and plug-in hybrid technology. The MRV100 incorporates a certified high-pressure CNG fuel tank.

The national environmental group Energy Vision today released a report assessing the impacts of New York City’s existing food cart fleet versus MOVE Systems new MRV100. According to the report, each MRV100 reduces climate change gases by 60 percent and smog-causing NOx pollution by 95 percent.

New York City has nearly 8,000 food carts and trucks operating on its streets resulting in an estimated 1.2 million daily mobile food transactions.  The typical food cart uses propane, a highly combustible fuel that has resulted in food truck and cart fires.

The average cost of a basic food cart is between $15, 000 to nearly $25,000.  MOVE Systems is providing the carts at no cost to the first 500 vendors who sign up to switch to the new model.

For more information about MOVE Systems and to learn how to obtain an eco-friendly food cart, please visit: www.movesystems.com.

 

LNG America to Provide Scandrill LNG Fuel for Drilling Operations

LNG America and Scandrill have signed a joint marketing agreement to provide LNG fuel to drilling operations in the Gulf Coast region.

Among Scandrill’s rig fleet are 8 bi-fuel units, with the two newest capable of providing LNG substitution rates upwards of 60 percent. Scandrill partnered with Caterpillar to field test one of the first innovative Caterpillar DGB (Dynamic Gas Blending) systems.

The LNG America-Scandrill relationship will provide operators with the opportunity to drill their prospects with drilling equipment fueled with cleaner burning and more economical natural gas. Under the agreement LNG America and Scandrill will jointly seek out operators that are situated to take advantage of Scandrill’s equipment and LNG America’s expertise in LNG’s application as a fuel in the high-horsepower engine market.

 

General Dynamics NASSCO Constructing New LNG-Ready Tanker

General Dynamics NASSCO signaled the start of construction of a fourth “ECO” tanker to be built for American Petroleum Tankers at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard. The new ECO tanker is being built as part of a five-tanker contract. Each of the five 50,000 deadweight ton product carriers will be LNG-conversion ready and will carry 330,000 barrels of cargo.

With a specialized ECO design, the tankers are more energy efficient and incorporate environmental protection features, including a Ballast Water Treatment System. The construction and operation of the new vessels are aligned with the Jones Act, requiring ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports to be built, crewed and owned by the U.S.