The City of Wilsonville’s South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) agency has been awarded a $60,000 competitive Oregon grant to support alternative-fueling infrastructure. The SMART project award was one of eight presented by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) across the state that together totaled $4 million of federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Funds.
The SMART project, which is estimated to cost $100,000, will install additional storage capacity for CNG, increasing the City’s current capacity by roughly 35 percent. In addition to increasing capacity, the project eliminates a high-maintenance portion of the current CNG storage and dispensing configuration, which will increase fueling efficiency and reduce labor costs.
SMART continues to work on City Council goals focused on “efficient, cost-effective and sustainable development and infrastructure.” SMART currently operates two natural gas-powered buses, and plans to acquire two more later this year. “This grant helps the City continue diversifying our fleet and improving our fueling infrastructure. Utilizing CNG has helped us lower fuel and maintenance costs, while reducing emissions,” said SMART Transit Director Stephan Lashbrook.
Five projects located along the I-5 corridor from Portland to Sutherlin will provide CNG fueling stations for a variety of businesses located throughout Oregon. Other projects will make investments in Oregon communities that currently lack NGV infrastructure. Projects were selected based on a variety of factors, including location, reduction in air emissions, and public benefit.
Source: Wilsonville Area Chamber of Commerce
