Nopetro, a Florida-based natural gas fueling infrastructure provider, says that results have far exceeded year-one expectations for its Leon County compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling facility, thanks to rapid adoption of CNG usage by various organizations.
Under a public/private partnership, Nopetro began operating a CNG facility in August 2012 as a result of being awarded the opportunity to fuel Leon County Public School buses with CNG.
Nopetro anticipated dispensing 100,000 gallons during the initial year. Instead, the company says the facility provided an estimated 400,000 gallons – about 300% greater than its initial outlook – of CNG fuel to serve the needs of its growing clientele.
The company says the rapid rise in demand came from a variety of avenues, including additional buses and waste vehicles from the city and county, contracts with private companies that utilize CNG vehicles such as WastePro and Saddle Creek Logistics, as well as consumer usage from individuals with CNG automobiles, such as the Honda Civic GX and Ford 150.
“The reasons for use of CNG vehicles are nothing short of compelling,” comments Jorge Herrera, Nopetro CEO. “We have reduced fuel costs for Leon County School's fleet by $1.50/gallon, a 40 percent savings over traditional gasoline or diesel.”
Nopetro says other counties and school districts are following suit: After competitive bidding processes, the company was recently awarded two other CNG fueling station projects with Osceola County and the Charlotte County Public School district.
