Greentech Lead America: Virginia Governor Robert
McDonnell today signed an agreement with Clean Energy Fuels to enable the
Commonwealth and local Virginia governmental entities to purchase Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG) from Clean Energy for their vehicle fleets.
Under this agreement, commonwealth, county, city,
municipal and other Virginia government bodies will be able to access special
pricing for CNG fuel and services through the state’s procurement website, eVA.
Clean Energy also plans to build CNG fueling
stations and provide CNG vehicle conversions for Commonwealth and local
Virginia governments that want to take advantage of the benefits of natural gas
as a transportation fuel.
Clean Energy recently opened its first CNG public-access
station in Virginia on Maury Street in downtown Richmond and expects to open
its second station adjacent to Dulles International Airport. Both public-access
stations are open 24/7 and are co-located with Clean Energy’s partner Quarles
Fuel Network.
Currently priced up to $1.50 a gallon lower than gasoline
or diesel depending on local markets, the use of natural gas fuel reduces operating
costs for vehicles and reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30 percent in
light-duty vehicles and 23 percent in medium to heavy-duty vehicles.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 98 percent of
the natural gas consumed in the U.S. is sourced in the U.S. and Canada, making
natural gas a secure North American energy choice.
Working with Commonwealth officials, Clean Energy expects
to develop a strategic network of CNG station locations throughout Virginia,
taking advantage of the extensive inter-state highways traversing the
Commonwealth.
“Not only is this good for the government and the
environment, but ultimately it will be good for consumers and the economy as
well,” said Governor McDonnell. “The infrastructure created through this effort
will be available to fuel passenger vehicles and other commercial fleets.”
“Through this innovative public-private partnership we
enter today, the Commonwealth, industry leaders and innovators can work
collaboratively to move state government and private industry away from
vehicles fueled by gasoline and diesel fuel and reduce our dependence on
foreign oil,” McDonnell added.
“Through his leadership, Governor McDonnell has put
Virginia on a path to a more secure energy future,” said Mark Riley, vice
president, Eastern Region for Clean Energy at the signing ceremony in Richmond.