Clean Energy to Double CNG Capacity for Saddle Creek Heavy-duty Truck Station and Opens Two More America’s Natural Gas Highway Stations
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. – July 10, 2014 – Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) today announced plans to double the CNG station capacity at Saddle Creek Transportation’s natural gas station in Lakeland, Fla., where an additional 25 heavy-duty natural gas trucks are expected to fuel. Additional fueling agreements recently signed have resulted in the construction of new natural gas stations to support Clean Energy’s growing portfolio of natural gas fuel customers in the heavy-duty trucking, ready-mix and transit market segments.
Trucking
Saddle Creek Logistics Services Expands CNG Station Capacity for Growing Heavy-duty Natural Gas Truck Fleet
- Clean Energy will double Saddle Creek’s existing CNG station capacity in Lakeland, Fla., with two additional 300-Horsepower compressors and 55 additional new time-fill fueling points.
- Saddle Creek plans to add 25 heavy-duty CNG Freightliner 12-Liter Cascadia tractors to its existing fleet of 150 to meet increased customer demand for CNG-fueled logistics. The additional vehicles are forecasted to consume approximately 400,000 DGEs of CNG annually and are scheduled to be deployed in October 2014 once the station capacity has been increased.
- Clean Energy will continue to operate and maintain the station, which it initially built for Saddle Creek in 2011.
“Our natural gas trucks—now on their fifth-generation— are an integral part of our logistics offering. Our fleet currently has over 24 million miles using Natural Gas. Our customers recognize the importance of sustainability in their supply chain and the value in moving goods with natural gas. We are expanding our fueling capacity to meet this rising demand.” Michael DelBovo, president, Saddle Creek Transportation
Two America’s Natural Gas Highway Stations Open
- Under previously-announced fueling agreements, Raven Transport has begun fueling at the Walton, Ky., station, and NFI hauling for Lowe’s has begun fueling at the Sulphur Springs, Texas, station.
Ready-mix
Schwarz Ready Mix Contracts with Clean Energy to Build Private CNG Fueling Station
- A fleet of 16 heavy-duty day cab tractors are scheduled to replace old diesel trucks and begin fueling once the station is completed, which is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2014. 14 CNG ready-mix concrete trucks are expected to be added shortly thereafter as Schwarz continues to replace its old diesel fleet with natural gas trucks.
- The station will use a General Electric CNG in a Box system, 20 time-fill fueling points and one fast-fueling point.
- Once fully-deployed, the fleet is forecasted to consume approximately 828,000 DGEs of CNG annually, roughly the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road.
“Using a more economical and American fuel for our fleet made the decision to transition to natural gas an easy one. We appreciate our strong partnership with Clean Energy that helped to make this transition seamless.” Philip Schwarz, president, Schwarz Ready Mix.
Transit
Paratransit Inc., of Sacramento, Calif., to Convert Fleet to CNG; Signs Fueling and Station Construction Deal
- Second-largest paratransit provider in California signs station design, construction, operation and maintenance agreement with Clean Energy. Approximately 60 Ford E-350 and E-450 paratransit CNG buses are anticipated to begin fueling once the station is operational in the second quarter of 2015. Paratransit intends to transition its entire fleet of 180 vehicles to natural gas.
- The new station will be located at 7141 Woodbine Ave., in Sacramento; it will be open to the public and feature two fast-fueling dispensers with four fueling points.
- Once fully-deployed, this fleet is forecasted to consume approximately 1,000,000 GGEs of CNG each year, the equivalent of taking approximately 480 cars off the road.
“Paratransit Inc. is a private non-profit corporation, dedicated to creating transit options for individuals in need, allowing them the freedom to live their lives. Our transition to natural gas is not only the more sustainable choice, but it allows us to keep our costs low which translates directly to our riders.” Linda Deavens, chief executive officer, Paratransit, Inc.
Kings County Area Public Transit Agency Signs Multi-year Repair and Maintenance Agreement
- Clean Energy will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of Kings County’s private CNG fueling station.
“Serving our riders each and every day without interruption is priority-one for our team. Working with Clean Energy gives us the confidence that our fleet will be able to meet this goal for years to come.” Angie Dow, executive director, Kings County Area Public Transit Agency
Network
Third Public CNG Station Serving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Community Opens
- Clean Energy built and will operate a public CNG station for Aviation CNG, L.L.C., located at 9131 Aviation Blvd., Inglewood, CA.
- The station features four fast-fueling dispensers with eight fueling points and will help meet the continued growth in CNG demand in Los Angeles. Collectively, the three stations serving LAX and the surrounding area are the highest volume CNG stations in Clean Energy’s nationwide network.
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. In addition, nearly all natural gas consumed in North America is produced domestically.
The Road Ahead
An insider’s look at what this means for the Alternative Fuel Industry from Clean Energy’s President and CEO, Andrew J. Littlefair:
Saddle Creek’s award-winning natural gas fleet innovation and logistics success has challenged old assumptions about heavy-duty natural gas truck fueling. We began the journey with Mike and his team in 2011 when we built their first CNG station and followed with excitement as they made their recent historic cross-country haul—fueling at many of our public stations along the way. We’re eager to help Saddle Creek continue its adoption of natural gas for transportation as they expand their station and natural gas truck fleet.
About Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the leading provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America. We build and operate compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations; manufacture CNG and LNG equipment and technologies for ourselves and other companies; develop renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities; and deliver more CNG, LNG and Redeem RNG fuel than any other company in the U.S. For more information, visit www.cleanenergyfuels.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including without limitation statements about the number of trucks expected to be deployed and the amount of natural gas fuel expected to be consumed by Saddle Creek, Schwartz Ready Mix and Paratransit, and the benefits of natural gas relative to gasoline and diesel. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including without limitation the price of natural gas relative to gasoline and diesel, and the cost and operating experience associated with natural gas trucks. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Additionally, the reports and other documents the Company files with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov) contain risk factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.