“The need for greater fuel diversity has never been more important,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Natural Gas. “I would like to commend the Board of Public Utilities for their approval of this pilot program and their leadership in advancing the goals of the state’s Energy Master Plan. With the availability and price benefit of today’s natural gas, we have an opportunity to help grow our economy and protect our environment by encouraging the market for alternative fuel vehicles, and that’s good for New Jersey and our future.”
Increasing the use of NGVs to meet the state’s transportation needs provides a cost effective and environmentally cleaner choice of fuel. Compressed natural gas can reduce fuel costs between 30 and 50 percent over petroleum, a tremendous savings for businesses and individuals. Additionally, according to the American Gas Association natural gas powered vehicles produce up to 30 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel, which is good for the environment.
Beginning immediately, NJNG will work to identify companies in Monmouth, Ocean and Morris counties that currently use or plan to use NGVs in their fleet operations, such as waste hauling vehicles, buses and delivery trucks, to host the refueling stations. These facilities could be private companies or public and municipal entities. NJNG will install, own and maintain the infrastructure, and the host company will be required to make the station open to the public and use initially at least 20 percent of the refueling capacity.
Source: New Jersey Natural Gas.
