Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has announced a number of new agreements across the country, including with trucking firms to lease or purchase more than 250 heavy-duty trucks fueled by Redeem renewable natural gas (RNG).
Clean Energy explains that its Zero Now program makes the cost of leasing or purchasing a new natural gas heavy-duty truck equal to the price or even lower than that of the same truck equipped with a diesel engine. In addition, truck fleets financed or purchased through Zero Now will be able to purchase Redeem fuel with a fixed discount to diesel.
“We are seeing a positive response to this program as fleets are discovering the advantages of Zero Now when seeking a clean, affordable renewable fuel option that combats air pollution and climate change,” comments Andrew J. Littlefair, president and CEO of Clean Energy.
Among the first fleets taking delivery is bulk carrier Kenan Advantage Group, which has added 24 new near-zero trucks to its fleet through Zero Now. Kenan Advantage Group will be deploying its natural gas tractors in the company’s Merchant Gas Group, which transports industrial gases. The company will be using RNG where available for this deployment.
“Clean Energy’s Zero Now is a win-win. It has provided us with an opportunity to bring the cost of a natural gas truck at parity with a diesel truck while offering a guaranteed fuel discount for five years,” says Bruce Blaise, president and CEO of Kenan Advantage Group.
In addition, TTSI is taking delivery of 40 RNG trucks; Freight Line Express is awaiting delivery of 12 trucks; Supra National Express has eight on tap; and Romans Trucking is adding six. Freshlink and Tradelink Transport have also taken advantage of the program by leasing new heavy-duty natural gas trucks.
California deals
Los Angeles International Airport has signed a contract to power 31 shuttle buses with Redeem for an expected 2.5 million gallons over the life of the buses.
The County of Orange Public Works Department has signed a five-year agreement with Clean Energy for the operations, maintenance and retailing of its public station, which will result in dispensing a projected 750,000 gallons of Redeem.
Further, Los Angeles World Airports has signed a two-year extension option for Clean Energy to supply an estimated 200,000 gallons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power its airport bus fleet.
Additionally, the County of Sacramento has entered into a contract to fuel its airport vehicles and school buses at two stations, for which Clean Energy will provide an expected 300,000 gallons of Redeem fuel, along with repair and maintenance services.
Clean Energy has also won the renewal of a three-year maintenance contract with the City of Fresno with two option years. The city has 112 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
Lastly, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has put 41 new CNG buses into service that will fuel at Clean Energy stations. They are expected to use nearly 5 million gallons of Redeem over their 12-year lifecycle. Clean Energy also signed a long-term contract to provide nearly 2 million gallons of Redeem annually at City of Santa Clarita stations.
Refuse stations
Long-standing customer Livermore Sanitation in California has executed a contract to upgrade its station, which was originally built by Clean Energy 10 years ago. In addition to adding a new compressor, the station will be outfitted with nine time-fill hoses so it can fill its expanded fleet of 35 refuse trucks in a timely manner. Clean Energy will continue to provide operations and maintenance and RNG supply following the station upgrade.
USA Hauling and Recycling has executed its fourth CNG station with a Clean Energy contract to build and operate a new 30-truck time-fill CNG station at its Waterbury, Conn., facility.
Clean Energy was also awarded a contract from the City of Philadelphia to perform its CNG garage modifications, as well as build and operate a new 42-truck time-fill CNG station at the city’s 3033 South 63rd St. facility. These 42 new refuse trucks are anticipated to use 220,000 gallons annually.
Longtime customer Solterra Recycling Solutions, a division of Central Jersey Waste, has renewed Clean Energy’s agreement for an additional five years.
Clean Energy has also executed a one-year retail fuel contract with the City of Sacramento, Calif., for a projected 350,000 gallons of Redeem to power its growing CNG refuse trucks at two retail sites.
Next, Clean Energy was awarded a City of Redlands RLNG supply contract for a public-access natural gas station. The contract is for one year with two single-year options. Additionally, the County of Sacramento has signed a one-year maintenance contract with two single-year options to support its refuse fleet.
The City of Tacoma, Wash., is negotiating a multimillion-dollar contract with Clean Energy following its solicitation to upgrade the city’s CNG station. The city plans to complete the significant station upgrade by the end of 2019 and has extended its maintenance contract with Clean Energy.
Underserved region
Lastly, Clean Energy has entered into a three-year fuel agreement with Rawhide Leasing, which is providing natural gas service to the City of Mesquite, Nev., through a virtual pipeline by transporting an estimated 600,000 total gallons to supply fuel to the fast-growing, young city. Rawhide Leasing will be fueling its trailers at Clean Energy’s public-access fueling stations in Las Vegas.
Clean Energy Fuels is starting ‘the Nat Gas for vehichle revolution whether the “Green” people like it or not. Energy independence for the U.S. is finally at hand.