By Lauren Bennitt,
posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.
With the holiday season under way, Americans across the country
are hitting the roads to visit family and friends. What's at the
top of some travelers' wish lists? $2.00 per gallon equivalent
natural gas. By converting to natural gas vehicles, communities and
businesses across the country are saving money and reducing
emissions thanks to clean and abundant natural gas. Unsure
where to fill up your nat gas vehicle? With over 1000 NGV fueling
stations located across the country, it's becoming more convenient
each day for American consumers and businesses to make the
switch.
Spreading good NGV tidings, Apache
Corporation, an ANGA member company, is giving back to
its local community this holiday season. Apache has
donated two new compressed natural gas
(CNG) paratransit vehicles to Tulsa Transit's Lift Program. Apache
gifted the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority with the new CNG
buses to help the door-to-door program for the area's disabled
residents.
The transition to CNG is not new for Tulsa
Transit - in 2009, the agency received two grants to
convert vehicles. Currently, the system
operates 15 CNG buses and recently built
its first CNG-fueling station at
its headquarters. Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett
recognizes the role that natural gas plays for the community. "We
as a community are leading by example. First, it's the right thing
to do, environmentally. And, second, they are cheaper to
operate."
Here are some other NGV stories to round out 2011:
- In 2012, Long Beach Transit in California is planning to replace 64 diesel buses to
run on CNG. The North Long Beach Transit facility will be converted
into a fully operational CNG facility.
- Last week, Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS) introduced three new heavy-duty CNG
buses in the Great Lakes State. MATS has been providing cleaner
transportation for Michigan residents for close to 10 years. Jim
Koens, transit manager for MATS, is excited about the new buses
since "compressed natural gas burns cleanly, is produced
domestically, and is more cost-effective than diesel fuel at this
time."
- An Arizona Beer Distribution company, The Golden Eagle, introduced
its new fleet of CNG delivery vehicles. Last week in
Tucson, the company launched 18 CNG powered trucks to begin
delivery routes with six more vehicles to be added by
the end of December. Golden Eagle plans to incorporate CNG vehicles
throughout its fleet across Arizona with the help of
Ryder System Inc.
- Wyoming Governor Matt Mead is hoping the University of Wyoming
will be able to soon convert vehicles to run on natural gas.
Mead has proposed a budget that would allow for the University to
convert vehicles and build a CNG-fueling station on
the campus.
Is your community or business planning to convert vehicles to
natural gas in 2012? Share your story with us at
info@anga.us. Happy Holidays!