Champion Brands broke ground on its public-private natural gas station located in Jacksonville with partner Trillium CNG. Florida recently implemented legislation, sponsored by Representative Lake Ray and Senator Wilton Simpson and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott, to encourage public and private fleet investment in natural gas vehicles.
According to Champion CEO Earl Benton, the transition to natural gas will avoid frequent and costly fluctuations in the price of diesel as well as bring environmental benefits. “Companies like Champion Brands are leading the drive toward American energy independence and cleaner air,” he said.
According to the Florida Natural Gas Association, the number of CNG stations in Florida has doubled as a result—from approximately 30 stations to 60—as companies like Champion Brands received help in defraying the cost of new NGVs.
The natural gas vehicle program does not subsidize CNG fueling stations. Those are constructed at the expense of each individual entity or entities. Nevertheless, in many cases, as with Champion Brands, the station will be available for public use. The public appears in favor of the program, with one survey finding 72% of Floridians supported it.
Source: Florida Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
