Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE), North America’s largest supplier of natural gas fuel for transportation, staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to mark the opening of the new public access compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Owned and operated 24/7 by Clean Energy, the CNG station is located at 131 Aaronson Drive, BWI Airport. The facility provides CNG fuel for public and private vehicles and fleets, including airport shuttle buses, shared-ride vans, taxis, trucks and personal-use CNG vehicles. Among key Clean Energy station users will be a new fleet of CNG airport parking shuttles operated by IMPARK.
Government officials, airport, environmental quality and business leaders attended the April 10th station-opening event. On-site CNG vehicles available for viewing by event guests included shuttle vans and buses, taxis, pick-up trucks, and mid-sized commercial delivery trucks.
Representing Clean Energy at the opening was Mark Riley, Vice President, Eastern Region. He said, “With the expanding availability of natural gas vehicles, fleet operators across the nation are adopting natural gas power. Among their goals are adding fuel diversity, curtailing harmful emissions, and helping reduce America’s dependence on imported oil. Airport and allied ground transportation fleets have become magnets for natural gas vehicle usage. We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide the benefits of natural gas fuel to the Baltimore/Washington International Airport area and the neighboring communities.”
“This CNG station provides important fuel options for BWI Marshall Airport, our partners, and our neighboring communities,” said Wayne S. Pennell, Chief Operating Officer for BWI Marshall Airport. “This is the latest example of our commitment to managing operations in an environmentally responsible manner.”
“Smart investments in alternative transportation technologies improve air quality in Maryland and expand our vehicle energy options,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, Acting Director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “This station provides Maryland drivers with domestically produced fuel that is expected to reduce drivers’ greenhouse gas emissions.”
Natural gas fuel costs up to $1.50 less per gallon than gasoline or diesel, depending on local market conditions. The use of natural gas fuel not only reduces operating costs for vehicles, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% in light-duty vehicles and 23% in medium to heavy-duty vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 98% 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.
