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NGVAmerica News Week in Review: August 8, 2016

  • UPS Drives 1 Billion Miles with Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Fleet
  • Maryland Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Infrastructure Programs Open
  • Frito-Lay Reaches 100 Million Miles Driven through Its CNG Fleet
  • Ryder Selected by Postal Fleet for Natural Gas Vehicle Solution
  • IMPCO Technologies Releases New CNG Pressure Relief Devices
  • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Achieves Carbon Neutral Recognition
  • Magellan Announces Merger and Enters the LNG Business

 

UPS Drives 1 Billion Miles with Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Fleet

August 2, 2016

UPS has achieved its goal of driving 1 billion miles in its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet one year earlier than planned, and marked more than 10 years of learning from its “Rolling Laboratory.” UPS detailed these accomplishments and its sustainability progress in its 14th annual Sustainability Report.

“With more than 100,000 drivers logging more than 3 billion miles per year, our future depends on our ability to meet the growing demand for global trade while reducing our impact on the environment,” said David Abney, Chairman and CEO, UPS.”

UPS deepened its commitment to alternative fuels in 2012, when it set the goal of reaching 1 billion miles driven with alternative fuels by the end of 2017. Having achieved that goal one year early, about 12 percent of the conventional diesel and gasoline fuel previously used by UPS’s ground fleet is now being replaced by alternative fuels, including renewable natural gas (RNG).

Recognizing alternative fuels and advanced technologies each have unique advantages depending on the routes and geographies in which they are used, UPS deploys the more than 7,200 vehicles in the Rolling Lab to determine what works best in each situation.

By the end of 2016, UPS will have invested more than $750 million in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations globally since 2009. That continued investment, combined with supportive government policies, and a collaborative set of partners has helped to expand development and utilization of alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure throughout the world.

 

Maryland Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Infrastructure Programs Open

August 8, 2016

The Maryland Energy Administration announced that the Maryland Freedom Fleet Voucher (FFV) Program for the 2017 fiscal year is now accepting applications on a first come, first served basis. The FFV Program provides financial assistance for the purchase of new and converted alternative fueled vehicles registered in the state of Maryland. Vouchers will be used to reduce the purchase price up to a maximum of $40,000 per vehicle based on gross vehicle weight (GVW).

Eligible vehicles include on-highway dedicated CNG and LNG vehicles registered in Maryland. Vehicles must be a commercial, non-profit agency or public fleet vehicle. However, public funded transit agencies are not eligible. Vehicles must be operated for three years, and the limit for total voucher requests is limited to $300,000 (15 percent of program budget). The application deadline is May 5, 2017. More information is available on the program website.

In addition, the Maryland Energy Administration’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Program is open and will provide financial assistance to eligible applicants, who desire to install, own and operate publicly accessible alternative fuel infrastructure in Maryland.

Private businesses are eligible to apply for the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Grant Program. Eligible projects must be sited within Maryland and must apply commercially available technologies. Grants will be awarded from $35,000 to $500,000, and will require a cost share of at least 50 percent. Up to $2 million is available for infrastructure projects.

Awards will be issued on competitive basis. Applications are due February 10, 2017. More information is available on the program website.

 

Frito-Lay Reaches 100 Million Miles Driven through Its CNG Fleet

August 4, 2016

Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, reached a major milestone this month when its CNG truck fleet logged more than 100 million miles driven on routes across the US. Frito-Lay first began leveraging CNG technology in 2011 when 16 CNG freight trucks were placed into service. Today, the Frito-Lay CNG fleet has grown to more than 500 vehicles, representing more than 35 percent of the company’s long-haul inventory.

“Increasing the efficiency of our vehicle fleet is a key component of achieving PepsiCo’s overall goal to reduce GHG emissions,” said Michael O’Connell, senior director of supply chain, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division. “Alternative fuel solutions like Frito-Lay’s use of CNG freight trucks are an important piece of our overall strategy, helping us reduce our environmental footprint, meet changing consumer needs and thrive in today’s economy.”

Critical to the expansion of Frito-Lay’s CNG fleet has been the development of a national infrastructure for alternative fuel. There are currently 16 CNG public fueling stations around the country at which Frito-Lay is a major customer. These fueling stations not only provide fuel for Frito-Lay CNG freight trucks, they also make fuel available for other companies currently using or considering alternative fuel vehicles.

Frito-Lay currently maintains the seventh largest commercial fleet in the US with approximately 22,000 vehicles, including everything from cargo vans up to Class 8 tractors. By deploying alternative fuel vehicles, Frito-Lay has reduced its diesel fuel use by more than 30 percent from 2008 to 2015, while also growing net revenue by 16 percent for the same period.

 

Ryder Selected by Postal Fleet for Natural Gas Vehicle Solution

August 3, 2016

Ryder System announced that Postal Fleet Services signed a Ryder ChoiceLease Full Service agreement for 20 heavy duty CNG vehicles supporting mail delivery operations in Orlando, Florida; Lafayette, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and La Vergne, Tennessee.

Postal Fleet Services has relied on Ryder for fleet leasing and maintenance solutions for more than 10 years. The 20 CNG fueled vehicles will now be added to the existing fleet of Ryder diesel-powered vehicles that already supports Postal Fleet Services’ mail distribution operations. The vehicles will be serviced by Ryder’s maintenance network within Ryder’s maintenance facilities that meet the compliance requirements for servicing natural gas vehicles.

“Postal Fleet Services takes pride in being a mail delivery contractor where we have the ability to respond to our customer’s additional needs in minutes,” said Don Dorris, Owner of Postal Fleet Services. “We can now continue to perform above their expectations, while operating more cost-efficiently and environmentally-friendly.”

Ryder is a leader in NGV solutions for the commercial transportation industry, with more than 90 million miles of experience, 22 NGV maintenance facilities, and more than 5,500 NGV trained maintenance and support personnel. With the deployment of the NGVs in Postal Fleets Services’ fleet in Tennessee and Mississippi, Ryder has now expanded its NGV offering into 16 states and two Canadian provinces.

 

IMPCO Technologies Releases New CNG Pressure Relief Devices

August 4, 2016

IMPCO Technologies has confirmed the release of an expanded line of GFI branded high pressure CNG thermal pressure relief devices. The new products now available globally include a high performance in-line, end of line, and 1 1/8” end plug.

These new models were developed to supplement the existing models of thermal pressure relief devices, with the new models being certified to ANSI PRD 1-2013 and available with both Eutectic and Glass Bulb Technology.

IMPCO’s line of GFI pressure relief devices are designed for maximum heat transfer and reliable fast activation performance. The high flow discharge design ensures that in the unlikely event that the device is activated, the integrity of the CNG system will remain intact.

Features of the new pressure relief devices include a light weight anodized aluminum body; maximum working pressure of 35 Mpa (5,000 psi); working temperature -40 to +85 degrees Celsius; and a wide range of port options.

 

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Achieves Carbon Neutral Recognition

August 4, 2016

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport has become the first airport in North America to achieve Carbon Neutral status, one of only 23 airports worldwide to achieve the distinction.  The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program upgraded DFW Airport to “Level 3+ Neutrality,” which is the highest level of environmental achievement available to airports.  The recognition culminates nearly two decades of sustainability efforts by DFW Airport to reduce its own emissions and carbon footprint, and thereby contribute to the regional effort to clean the air in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

“This major achievement demonstrates DFW Airport’s commitment to serving our community and our world with a comprehensive, holistic approach to sustainability,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport.  “Our team has made major strides in reducing DFW’s carbon footprint by how we manage precious resources such as energy and water, and how the Airport manages vehicle fuels, emissions, waste, recycling, and our land.”

An important part of DFW’s sustainability program is its fleet of natural gas service vehicles. DFW’s vehicle fleet has been almost completely converted to clean-burning CNG, cutting the Airport fleet’s carbon emissions by 25 percent while saving millions in fuel costs.

Since 2010, DFW has achieved 29 percent reduction in carbon emissions on a per passenger basis as well as an overall 38 percent reduction in energy costs, even while total passengers at the Airport increased by 15 percent over the same period.

Carbon neutrality occurs when the net carbon dioxide emissions over an entire year is zero, meaning the airport absorbs or offsets the same amount of carbon dioxide as it produces. The achievement is recognized and accredited by Airport Carbon Accreditation, an international organization that monitors the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.

 

Magellan Announces Merger and Enters the LNG Business

August 3, 2016

Magellan Petroleum announced that it has entered into a merger agreement with Tellurian Investments, a recently formed private company focused on the development of a mid-scale LNG facility on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Tellurian is led by Charif Souki, former founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cheniere Energy and Martin Houston, former COO of BG Group.

“Our experienced team leading Driftwood LNG, a 26-millon ton liquefaction project in Louisiana, and our deep relationship with Bechtel and its sub-contractors, GE and Chart Industries, are key factors that we believe will drive the successful development of one of the most cost-competitive LNG projects globally,” said Martin Houston, co-founder of Tellurian. “With this transaction, we will be able to access more attractive financing in order to develop Driftwood LNG, which should come on stream in 2022, just as the markets for new LNG open up.”

The board of directors of each company has unanimously approved the terms of the agreement and has recommended that its shareholders approve the transaction. Completion of the merger is subject to approval of the Magellan and Tellurian shareholders and certain regulatory approvals and customary conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.